Two tight wins for Claygate

Claygate 1st XI overcame Westcott at Dalmore Avenue in a tight Surrey Downs League game by just two wickets with two overs to spare with crucial innings from Lance Mayer (55), Sunny Mahajan (45) and Tom McKinley (24) and Joris Nathanson calmly using his head to knock off the final runs. Earlier, having put the opposition in on a damp pitch, Claygate had used seven bowlers to keep Westcott to 218 for 6 in their innings with two wickets each for Luke Webb and Matt Weston.

On another damp pitch Claygate 2nd XI also put the opposition in but struggled to contain the Westcott batsmen who reached 239 for 3 with Dave Price taking two wickets in a marathon 16 overs. Justin Hannaford bowled 15 overs without much luck and had the unfortunate distinction of being hit for three sixes in the last over. In reply Claygate never got going against accurate bowling but Westcott struggled to take enough wickets and a fine 33 not out from skipper James McPhail in partnership with Chris White, the last recognized batsman, batted out for a hard fought draw.

The Sunday 1st XI lost convincingly to Clapham Old Xavarians at Dalmore Avenue. Clapham scored 231 in their 40 overs with only Vikram Prabhakar exerting any control, conceding just 23 runs in his 8 overs. Tom McKinley and Dave Price returned at the end of the innings to take two wickets each. With Chris Howe (38) and Rufus Legg putting on 53 in 7 overs early on, Claygate were up with the required rate but wickets fell regularly and Claygate slid to 163 all out.

The Sunday 2nd XI fared much better at Whitely Village, winning a close game by three wickets. Andy Spector (4 for 17) and Chris Louw (3 for 37) were the stars with the ball in restricting the opposition to 120. In an innings that included 5 ducks, in reply Claygate were indebted to a fine 60 from Matt Wells and then a late order contribution from Matt Holmes.

For further information please contact:

Nigel Abbott 01372 465350 Mobile 07774 161 634