2nd XI draw with League Leaders

Saturday 3rd August 2019
AJ Fordham Surrey Championship – 2nd XI competition
Stoke D’Abernon 2nd XI 204 for 9 (55 overs)
Cheam 2nd XI 179 for 8 (45 overs)
Match Drawn – ‘Winning Draw’ to Cheam

Stoke’s 2nd XI secured a draw with a sufficient bonus points to move out of the relegation places at the expense of Ripley whom they play next week.

Peter Phipps won the toss and let others have a chance ahead of him with the bat; taken by some not bot but others as his side spluttered to 72 for 5. Will Patrick glued the innings together with a knock of 63 and found support from, Aarav Malhotra, (27), and Andy Page.

Stoke were still under par when the 8th wicket fell on 165; but Phipps, Raja Singh, (25 not out including a six off the last ball of the innings), and Duncan Elder took Stoke past the 200 mark.

With more limited bowling options than usual due to late withdrawals and 1st XI call-ups; Duncan Elder did great job up top; bowling his permitted maximum 14 over allocation for the concession of just 35 runs and taking his 100th, 101st and 102nd career wickets for the Club.

Jase Earl made it 61 for 4, then two quick strikes by Andy Page, (7-1-26-2), made it 75 for 6 and Stoke were well placed to upset the league leaders.

However Cheam showed why they have been up there all season as a seventh wicket partnership of 85 between Brophy, (48), and Cowlard, (42), threatened to take the points.

With a scattered field Tristan Caviet chose to go the bumper route and took out both; leaving a couple of overs where it was then hard to assess whether Cheam were continuing to go for it or settling for the winning draw having already secured that target score. This made field placement tricky, and it was only when approximately 30 were needed from the last two overs it became evident that the chase was called off and the match, which ebbed and flowed all afternoon, ended with the fair result.

The availability merry go round will see an altogether different Stoke side travel to Ripley next week; but the return of both experienced and talented players should mean a balanced and exciting side will make the trip in arguably the most pivotal game of the season.

Scorecard : http://sdacc.play-cricket.com/website/results/3754457