WCC 171-8 (51.5) Horley 77 (33.1)

Two contrasting performances (one with the bat, the other with the ball) illuminated the game at Horley, culminating in a 94 run victory for Woodmansterne and some amazing bowling figures in Surrey County League Division Two, writes Jason Hiscox.

Losing the toss, Woods were inevitably asked to bat first. Squires and Joyce came out to bat and started cautiously against tight bowling, with Squires (8) the first to depart on 8. Corbett joined Joyce and together they ground out runs, scoring at almost a run a ball for the first 20 overs.

Joyce finally departed for 21 (off 74 balls) at 43-2 to bring in Vagg. Vagg started to up the rate, contributing 18 to a 30 partnership before he was bowled by Hyde. Patel looked out of sorts with the bat for his 4, whilst Miller was unlucky to pick out fielders with most of his shots until his dismissal for 8. All this time Corbett had been quietly accumulating at the other end and reached a hard fought fifty, before immediately surrendering his wicket with the score on 123 to Perrow, the pick of the Horley attack with 3-50.

With overs running out the tail upped the rate, scoring another 50 runs at almost a run a ball through Sims (17 off 19), Griffin (12 off 20) and Houghton, whose 21 not out off 13 balls showcased hitherto undisplayed levels of power and placement, Woods finally declaring on 171-8 off 51.5 overs. After tea Horley go off to a flier in their chase, racing to 28 off only 4 or 5 overs before Perrow was caught behind by Miller off Squires. Fishlock was only allowed two overs before being replaced by Patel who, bowling well within himself. immediately both cut down the scoring rate and knocked over the Horley top order. Having taken 3-0 already five wickets for no runs seemed a possibility but somehow a run was scored and the opportunity was lost. Griffin, having replaced Squires removed Kirk to leave Horley in real trouble at 42-5 but it was that man Patel who cut through the lower order, removing both Hyde’s, Mustafa and Ware to leave Horley at 64-9 at the end of an destructive spell (12 overs, 9 maidens, 7 wickets for 10 runs).

Captain Wortley rotated his bowlers in short spells in an attempt to break the final wicket partnership to no avail, but just as it seemed that Horley might see light at the end of a long tunnel recalled Patel. One delivery from him was all that was required as Thomas was trapped in front to end the game, hand Woods the victory and present Jay Patel with match figures of 12.1-9-10-8.