2nd XI find the going good at Kempton

Saturday 9th July 2016
Travelbag Surrey Championship – Division 4, 2nd XI competition
Kempton 2nd XI 149 all out (47.2 overs)
Stoke D’Abernon 2nd XI 152 for 2 (38.2 overs)
Stoke D’Abernon 2nd XI won by 8 wickets

Stoke’s 2nd XI were back to winning ways with a great all-round team performance at promotion-chasing Kempton.

Fielding first on winning the toss Stoke made early inroads as Charlie Hill, (10-2-23-2), struck twice and Alex Bond once to reduce the hosts to 15 for 3.

Captain Jase Earl helped himself to three middle-order wickets, including premier batsman Warne for 27; and Stoke were in the pound seats as Freddy Zander castled Saini and Loveridge, one with the ball of the day.

Stoke were looking to end matters quickly with the opposition on 87 for 8; but ran into an experienced pair at #9 and #10 in Page, (25 not out), and Crossley, (21), who added 58 for the ninth wicket.

The pair were separated by Adam De Swardt who removed Crossley leg-before, and in the next over with no addition to the score Bond, (9.2-1-26-2), castled No.11 Walsh to close the innings on 149.

In reply Steve Wade and Malcolm Dickson added 19 for the first wicket before Dickson was caught for nine; but Stoke moved into a position of dominance with a century stand between Wade and No.3 De Swardt. Both registered half-centuries; Wade eventually checking out on 54 with the total on 125.

This partnership was a record for Stoke in the Championship era. (http://www.stokecc.co.uk/record-partnerships/)

Majid Sialvi joined De Swardt and knocked off the remainder of the runs without further loss. De Swardt finished unbeaten on 64; Sialvi 13 not out.

Maximum points for Stoke to move them back into the mid-table pack, and they travel to Kingstonian next week in good spirit.

Scorecard : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/website/results/2804692