Sunday XI win at Sutton

Sutton Sunday 3rd XI 122 for 9 (45 overs)

Stoke D’Abernon Sunday XI 123 for 6 (17.2 overs)

Stoke D’Abernon won by 4 wickets

Adam Cooke reports…

Sutton won the toss and decided to bat first in overcast conditions. With the lethal combination of Dom Lloyd and Alex Bond to open the bowling runs were expected to be restricted especially with a combination of youth, enthusiasm and experience throughout the field. What was to come was unexpected to say the least. Sutton got off the mark in the 4th over and struggled to keep the run rate above two.

Jeremy Connell took over from Bond and in the 9th over and got the breakthrough straight away. Khan fell to a short and wide delivery which was held at mid-off by the captain. As the tight bowling and lack of aggression from the batsmen continued, another wicket fell with the score on 27 thanks to Michael Dolman using his quick hands to stump the other opener Abdullah of Roy Johns’ bowling; another one for the tally which now stands at 1503.

It was not until the 30th over did the wickets start to fall, the introduction of Will Thomson caused a stir of wickets including a stunning one handed catch by Roy at first slip, a Sandy Dickson run out from fine-leg and a well held caught and bowled. Srivastar put up a resistance and tried to accelerate the scoring but eventually fell for 30, caught Dickson bowled Bond. Dom, Alex and Adam Cooke managed to mop up the remaining wickets. The innings concluded in the 45th over with the score at 122-9, a mere 2.71 runs an over. Bondy had figures of 7-4-5-2, Will 5-1-19-2 and Jezza got 5-2-5-1.

With a low target in sight and plenty of overs to get it, Adrian Taylor and Andrew Trower opened the batting up. A sublimely timed on drive from Taylor suggested that he was more than comfortable at the crease, but fell soon after by coming down the wicket to leg-spinner Gardner, missing it and being closely stumped. Cooke came to the middle for the first time since his maiden fifty but failed to replicate a similar performance after falling lbw to Gardner in the same over as Taylor’s wicket.

James Trower and Connell had similar fates as they both fell cheaply for 5 and Stoke looking embarassed at 23-4. The steadying presence of Dickson and Will Thomson managed to guide Stoke closer to victory putting the score at 62 before Sandy missed one and Thoburn claimed his third and final wicket. The father son show took over and Rod and Will effortlessly took us within touching distance of the 123 needed to win.

Brilliant shots from both players saw them score easily where others had failed. Will stole the show though with impressive hitting and nearly bought his 50 up in style by pulling a short delivery but was denied by a catch in the deep to leave him on a well earned 44. Rod and Dolman saw us clinch victory and save the teams blushes when Dolman hit a 4.

In a bit of a mismatch Stoke have learned to not underestimate any side at any score. Sutton have said that next year’s fixture will be against their 2nd Sunday XI to make it a more evenly matched game.

Next week is away to Thursley so if you’re interested in playing then either let Adam, (adamcooke148@hotmail.co.uk), or Steve, (stephen.finch@miller-insurance.com), know ASAP.

Scorecard Link : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/scoreboard/scorecard.asp?id=11169691