Rory Roars But Sutton Hang On

Before the match got underway skipper Galer had the pleasant task of presenting a ‘100’ Cap to Neil Saker to mark Neil’s 104 appearances for the Llama’s 1st team; many of those games as Captain.
It would also be timely to mention that Jonathan Gale (150+ games), Toby Briggs (120+ games) and Will Irving (101 games) were all recently presented with a ‘100’ Cap to mark their achievement of reaching over 100 games for the Llama’s 2nd team.
The ‘100’ Cap is a gesture by the Club to recognise the achievements of the long serving players and they follow on from the ‘200’ Cap presented to Chris Murtagh a couple of seasons ago.
I understand there are more awards in the pipeline and I’m sure these ‘100’ Caps will be much sought after.

So the off-field theme of the day was ‘100’ but could the on-field theme follow suit ?

RORY TAKES THE HONOURS.....but the Llamas have to settle for a winning draw

Reigate won the toss and chose to bat.
Neil Saker and Rory Haughton opened for the Llamas. Neil was dropped in the slips off the 3rd ball of the opening over and then hit 10 off the next 3 balls for an eventful start to the match.
Rory, having scored 18 from his previous 5 league starts, was more cautious while Neil continued to score quickly, mainly off U17 Connor Griffin, while veteran Nick Clark bowled his 5 overs for just 8 runs. In the 7th over with the score on 29 Neil was already on 22 when he was caught and bowled by Connor Griffin.

Henry Tye, who after a disappointing start to his season had got back into form with 61 last week, joined Rory. Scoring wasn’t easy on this slow, albeit very flat, track and the pair made steady progress to take the Llamas to 102-1 after 30 overs. Rory and Henry then began to accelerate and in the 37th over they both reached their 50’s off consecutive deliveries to take the score to 130-1. Having taken 37 overs to reach 50, the scoring rate took off as Rory (thankfully finding his form) began to hit boundaries at will. Henry wasn’t getting left behind in the boundary stakes and the score had rapidly moved onto 193 when, in the 45th over Henry was caught in the deep by George Duckworth for 69 to give Connor Griffin his 2nd wicket. Rory and Henry had taken their 2nd wicket partnership to 164 to equal the highest ever 2nd wicket stand for the Llama 2nd eleven (previously achieved in the 1880’s by Dr W.G.Grace and R.K.Oliver–source Wickedpedia).

Luke Haughton joined Rory to see Rory reach a well deserved and chanceless 100 in the 48th over. The 1st 50 had taken Rory 37 overs with the 2nd 50 achieved in just 11 overs.
However in the next over (49th) with the score on 224 and Rory, now on 108, looped a high bouncer to be caught by wicket keeper/captain Jamie Griffin for Connor Griffin’s 3rd wicket (12 overs 3-84). Galer (6 no) joined Luke (18 no) and the pair took 17 runs off the next 2 overs when Jon declared the Llamas innings at 241-3 after 51 overs giving Sutton at least 49 overs to get the runs.

Sutton had bowled their 51 overs in 2 and 3 quarter hours which was excellent when you take into account that the Llamas had posted 241 runs. The 14 over spells from off spinner Chris Morris (0-54) and left-armer Robert Griffin (0-57) were mainly responsible for the fast over rate. With the restart scheduled for 3.15 and the match finish time due at 6.50; this left 3 hours 35 minutes for Sutton to get the runs. At the recommended rate of 16 overs an hour this should give Sutton about 57 overs rather than the expected 49.

Ollie Thilo got the Llamas off to a good start taking a wicket in his 1st over when he got Chris Morris (4) playing on. 12 runs came from Toby’s opening over to see Sutton at 16-1 from 2 overs and the target well in sight at this early stage. The brakes were put on by Ollie and Toby as just 2 runs came from the next 4 overs when Sutton Captain Jamie Griffin (14) pulled a ball from Toby to Ollie Thilo at square leg who took the catch. Score 18-2 after 6 overs. Ollie in the action again next over (7th) when with the score on 25 he got his 2nd wicket getting U17 Connor Griffin (4) lbw for the 3rd wicket to fall.

Toby continued at one end while Ben Donovan took over from Ollie Thilo at the other end but Ben struggled with the footholds and had just the one over; returning later for 3 more spells. Ollie Simms came into the attack. Sutton had stalled in their reply and had got to 46 in the 19th over when Ollie Simms got Max Thorburn (13) caught by Rory (couldn’t keep Rory out the game today). 46-4 quickly became 48-5 in the 20th over when Mobeen took a wicket in his 1st over (as usual) getting Steven Dolben (14) lbw.

5 wickets down after 20 overs saw Sutton shut up shop and it wasn’t until the 32nd over when the Llamas got their next wicket when Aiden Sheridan (10) was caught by Ollie Thilo off Ben Donovan with the score now 80-6. Briggsy, back for his 2nd spell, got his 2nd wicket (his 200th 2nd XI league wicket) when he had Keith Gilpin (7) lbw in the 40th over with Sutton now on 98-7.
Sutton crawled to 103 when Fraser spilled a chance before Rory Haughton was introduced into the bowling attack (you really couldn’t keep Rory out of the game). Rory’s leg spin removed the obstinate Sutton 3rd teamer Bob Foster, lbw for 29 to leave Sutton at 103-8 after 52 overs.

Number 10 Robert Griffin (4 no) joined U15 George Duckworth (8 no) and the pair frustrated the Llamas for another 17 overs as Galer tried (9 bowlers with 17 bowling changes during the innings) to break the partnership. But with Sutton only playing defensive shots on this flat track where there had been little swing or sideways movement all game; nothing was going to shift them. Rory bowled 10 overs 9 maidens 1 for 1 and the match came to a close at 6.50 with Sutton on 122-8 for a winning draw to the Llamas who had bowled 69 overs, including 37 maidens, to bring the total match overs up to 120.

This was the kind of match that only adds to the evidence of those who would like the games to all be limited overs, but all the while timed cricket is part of the scene then it is perfectly legitimate for teams to play for a draw; however frustrating that must be for the opposition. We did have 69 overs to get Sutton out; and if the shoe was on the other foot ??

The Llamas stay in 3rd place with a 28 and 26 points gap behind leaders Wimbledon and 2nd place Spencer; and face 4th in the table Weybridge in next week’s fixture at Park Lane.

Man of the Match-----need you ask ?-----108 runs, 10 overs 1 wicket for 1 run, and a catch; it can only be RORY;
but he will have to share the batting honours board this week as the 100 theme continued with tons for both 3rd team captain Ant Ireland (107 no) and Jonny Wickes (101 no)