Llamas survive Nutters' cauldron to reach Surrey Slam SE regional final

The Llamas galloped into the Surrey Slam South East regional final with a superb victory at a highly charged South Nutfield on Tuesday.

There was a lot on this game. Mainly a place in the final. But Chris Wigley was also desperate to teach his old club a lesson on his home ground, and the scorer/DJ had clearly a lot riding on his pre-planned EDM set - hence several frazzled outbursts, including stopping the game twice to allow a catch-up on play-cricket scorer.

Throw in a highly partisan crowd, a terrible umpire, beers and a paddling pool, and it made for a cauldron-like atmosphere. Thanks to the loyal Llama supporters who created a small 'away section'... your tiny voices were occasionally heard in between the cheers and obscenities from the abusive home crowd, players and officials.

The Llamas got off to the worst possible start, reduced to 2-2 after Jon Smith was pinned for LBW in the first over and Srikanth soon had his stumps rearranged after a wild swipe went horribly wrong.

Jonny Wickes (32) and James Leck (11) restored some order, putting on 45 runs with Jonny playing some lovely sweeps and drives.

When Leck was removed Jai Patel came to the crease and began what would prove a match-winning knock. Ably supported by rock hard skipper Ross Gurbut (24), Jai scored a blistering 50 from 30 balls including four sixes and three fours - several of which came in one punishing over against the Nutters' talisman Wigley.

When Gurbutt fell in the 16th over, Reigate were on 138 and on course to hit their goal of around 180. However, his dismissal and Jai's retirement brought two new batsmen to the crease and on a sticky pitch, the Llamas began to stall.

Ant Ireland (5) showed why he is such a natural T20 finisher by missing more balls than he hit, while Mobeen Tahir (5) and Manoj Rajarethinam (8) could only offer the briefest of cameos. Jai was soon required to re-enter and duly lasted 1 ball, bringing the innings to an early close at 160 with 8 balls unused - a criminal failing which the Llamas hoped wouldn't cost them the game on a very small ground.

The home side's chase got off to a flyer, with the openers making the straight boundaries look particularly miniature in racing to 59-0 in just over 6 overs. However, the introduction of spin changed the game.

Abhi Lohokare (3-19 from 4 overs) was the star, mixing his pace up and taking three quick wickets to reduce the hosts to 71-3. When Gurbutt (3-22 from 4) removed the remaining opener with his tweakers at 74-4, the Llamas were well back in the game.

Wigley was under pressure to marshall his side home, but the pitch continued to prove problematic - as did the running. Having given one partner a send off to the tune of "you hit it straight at the f***ing fielder you ****", Wigley soon heard the same slung back at him by another partner as first Ireland then Wickes kept their cool to register a run-out each.

He should have gone earlier, but Gurbutt first decided to catch a skier off his own bowling with his eye socket, then was too busy nursing an ice pack and giant shiner at long off a few overs later, dropping Wigley a second time. It was a far cry from Abhi's ridiculous one-handed catch in the same position off Gurbutt which signalled this could be the Llamas' night.

With the home crowd growing ever more frustrated and hostile (thank God their umpire was deaf as a plank), the Llamas pressed home their advantage. Patel (1-13 from 2 ) picked up a key wicket, Manoj produced a very tidy penultimate over to bring victory within sight, and Shayne Cossey (1-22 from 3.1) returned to bowl spin and got immediate rewards, claiming the final wicket with South Nutfield well short on 135.

The Llamas are now one win away from the Surrey Slam finals day, but must first take the SE regional crown against Outwood Outlaws on Monday 6th August at Merstham CC.