Draws should be enough

Claygate 1st XI and 2nd XI could both only manage winning draws in their Surrey Downs League fixtures against Capel which means they both remain in the top half of the table and should still secure places in the higher divisions of the revamped league structure next season.

The 1st XI struggled to set an imposing score at Capel but a middle order partnership of 76 between Russ Davis (66) and Vikram Prabhakar (35) steadied the innings and allowed Claygate to reach 198 all out. In reply Capel were going well but were eventually pegged back with Chris Howe and Tom McKinley taking 2 wickets each in their second spells and Vikram Prabhakar three in the middle of the innings as Capel finished on 181 for 8 with Dave Price taking an amazing running catch behind him as Claygate fought hard to reassert themselves.

On damp pitch at Dalmore Avenue Claygate 2nd XI were put in and despite some appalling umpiring managed to reach 220 for 7 with an early declaration after just 40 overs. Skipper James McPhail top-scored with 56 before being given out to one of the worst decisions ever seen at Dalmore Avenue which ruined the atmosphere for the rest of the match as the batsmen from both sides must have thought they were playing in a lottery. Dick Murphy weighed in with 43 not out before Claygate declared. Capel’s reply never really got going apart from an excellent 50 from their number four but Claygate struggled to take wickets regularly enough despite good bowling from Justin Hannaford (3 for 41), Mark O’Connell (2 for 33) and Chris White (2 for 23) and Capel finished on 144 for 7 after 50 overs.

The Sunday 1st XI managed to win at Stoke d’Abernon as skipper Nigel Abbott (4 for 28) and David Wright (4 for 45) helped bowl Stoke out for 160, a far higher total than they might have expected at 88 for 8. Claygate’s measured reply was led by an in-form Dick Murphy (72 not out) and newcomer Tony Stuart (50 not out) as they chased down the total without many alarms.

The Sunday 2nd XI were bowled out for a meagre 136 at Dalmore Avenue with only Danny Simmons (35) and Steve McKinley (39 not out) putting up any resistance. The TBCs chased down Claygate’s total easily losing just 4 wickets (Matt Holmes 2 for 18).

With the Claygate Beer Festival in full swing over the weekend and some late night exertions, Claygate were unable to successfully defend the West End six-a-side trophy on Sunday. A strong team quickly lost their first two matches in the morning but as the hangovers faded came back to beat stronger oppositions later in the day but by then it was too late.

For further information please contact:

Nigel Abbott: 01372 465350 Mobile: 07774 161 634