Claygate boosted by double success

Claygate boosted their fortunes in the Surrey Downs league this weekend with two victories against South Nutfield - the firsts powering to victory with a fine 7 wicket win.

On a green wicket at Dalmore Avenue, the home side swiftly made inroads into the Nutfield batting reducing them to 139 all out, with Chris Howe, Luke Webb, Vikram Prabakar and Mark O’Connell all picking up two wickets.

Openers Lance Mayer (38) and Matt Weston (61) demolished a weak Nutfield attack and with Sunny Muhajan adding a quick 34, they overhauled the total with just 3 wickets down.

The seconds too improved their table position with a 169 run victory this time at Nutfield. Powerful Claygate batting took their total to 263 for 3 with Rufus Legg 43, James McPhail 69 and David Price (75) and Steve McKinley (42) not out at the close. In reply, Claygate’s twin Australian seam attack of Chris White (5 for 29) and Justin Hannaford (2-23) then produced an excellent display of swing bowling reducing Nutfield to just 94.

On Sunday, the first recorded an excellent victory against local rivals Old Paulines at Thames Ditton. On a flat pitch, Claygate opted to bowl first and the home side built a useful 193 for the loss of 6 wickets - David Price and Chris Howe each bagging a brace.

Claygate timed their response to perfection reaching the total with just 11 runs to spare with 4 wickets in hand. Rufus Legg missed out on his second half century of the weekend by just 1 run and the final partnership between Vikram Prabakar and Tom McKinley produced 51 runs in just 8 overs – Prabakar finishing on 37 not out, McKinley 27 not out.

The only casualty of the weekend was the Sunday 2’s who lost to touring side Wibbandune connected to the famous Sonnet club of India. The fast improving Joel Watkins took 4 wickets in the visitors total of 221-8 and then made 63 in Claygate’s response of 154 – 67 runs short.

Ends

For further information contact: Nigel Abbott 01372- 465350 07774 161634