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Llamas Crowned Surrey T20 Champions

Llamas Crowned Surrey T20 Champions

Andy Packham19 Jul 2021 - 08:00
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Victories over Ashtead and East Molesey see Priory lift the Trophy

In blistering heat yesterday the Finals day of the Surrey T20 competition was staged at East Molesey CC. The Llamas overcame Ashtead in the semi-final and in a dramatic final, against the home club, Priory won by 4 runs to be crowned T20 Champions of Surrey.

At 10.10am this looked impossible when Priory were 3 wickets down for 2 runs after 2 overs in the first semi-final against Ashtead . However another supreme effort by Richard Stevens, helped by the lower order, got Priory up to a competitive 136. Early breakthroughs by Connor Newbold and Ollie Thilo, followed by spin twins Angus Dahl and Michael Munday strangling the life out of Ashtead resulted in a 67 run victory.

The other semi final was between Weybridge and East Molesey and to be frank looked a class higher as the "Moles" chased down nearly 160 to gain a nail biting last over win, having been 13-3 at one stage.

Batting first in the final Priory got off to a flyer and were 52-1 after 4.3 overs with Sam Hall, Danny Miller and Richie Oliver smashing it all parts but come 9 overs we were 64-4. A real team effort again enabled the Llamas to reach a competitive 146. Was it enough?

It didn't look like it as the strong East Molesey runaway leaders of the Surry Championship had their strongest league side out and were up with the run rate with wickets in hand and 8 overs to go. The Priory spinners, Newbold, Dahl, McInley and Munday were slowly chipping away and wickets from Stevens and Thilo left the "Moles" needing 9 off the last over with 2 wickets in hand.

The final over was entrusted to young Ollie Thilo and what an over he produced. A wicket with his 3rd ball resulted in 4 being needed off the last ball with 1 wicket left. A beautiful delivery just outside off stump shot safely through to the keeper and the Llama celebrations began.

This T20 competition was first played in 2006 and this is just Priory's 2nd success. It ultimately leads to a televised National Finals day which Priory reached following their 2009 success.

This was a supreme effort by Richie and his young team, 7 of whom were under 25. An achievement he and his team should be very proud of. The club most certainly is.

Star of the day. No doubt about it - Toni Bunyan for her magnificent vocal support which added so much to the day's enjoyment for everyone.

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