Claygate's young guns were really firing as the Surrey Downs League champions conjured up a 15-point return from a winning draw against league newcomers Holmbury St Mary.

Chasing a difficult 242 to win at a daunting six an over,  Claygate were indebted to former star colts Chris Howe( 63) and Jamie Henderson(50) after both openers had been dismissed with only 10 on the board.

Then teenager Tom McKinley( 34 not out) and Henry Vincent(33 not out) shared a rapid stand of 58 in just 11 overs to salvage a winning draw from an unpromising situation.

But Claygate's hopes of retaining their title are being damaged by a lack of real penetration in the bowling attack, and that was in evidence again here as Holmbury stacked up 241 for 5  on their picturesque ground.

Back at Dalmore Avenue, there was never a scintilla of  doubt about the result once a weakened Claygate second team slumped to 20 for 5  against Shere, whose inswing bowler Barnard wreaked havoc.

Rufus Legg batted throughout the innings for 35 not out, but only youngster Joel Watkins(20) offered much support as Claygate were dismissed for just 91 - a target Shere reached for the loss of three wickets in plenty of time to get home and watch "Dr Who". 

On Sunday,  Claygate's Ist XI went down the tube to Morden , the team at the end of the Northern Line.

Veteran keeper Phil "Luigi" Lewis spanked 30 and Dave Price 27 not out as Claygate rallied to 155 all out, but Morden cruised home by six wickets despite some tight off-spin from Dick Murphy.

Andy Spector, a six hit specialist from a generation ago, rolled back the years by smashing the ball out of the ground as Claygate's Sunday second team lost to the strangely-named TBC  by 37 runs.

Henry Vincent's 56 and Des Cecil's 30 were other features of the ultimately doomed run chase . 

ENDS


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