Claygate 1st XI v Albury XI, Dalmore Avenue,  2 May 2010

Claygate lose to promotion rivals Albury in season opener

Despite a late burst of wickets Claygate lost the first game on the season to promotion rivals Albury at a damp Dalmore Avenue on a Saturday.

Both teams were relegated from Surrey Downs Division 1 last season and Albury seized the initiative putting Claygate into bat in conditions conducive to swing and seam bowling.

Despite a run out in the second over the home side made a brisk start reaching 70 by the seventh over with opener Ross Carmichael making a useful 31. But a steady loss of wickets soon slowed the run rate as the middle order attempted to consolidate the innings.

The away side used the conditions well bowling full and straight but Claygate managed to gift them wickets with three batsmen getting out to ill judged pull shots once set. Despite the conditions a score of 163 all out was well below par and left Claygate’s bowlers too much to do.

Albury looked to be cruising home reaching 80 for 1 after 18 overs until the introduction of a three pronged spin attack brought six quick wickets as the ball began to skid off the surface. But it was too little too late as Albury got home with three overs to spare.

In his first season as captain left arm spinner Vikram Prabhakar held himself back until towards the end but made an immediate impact taking 4 for 10. Henry Vincent’s off breaks chipped in with 2 for 17.