It was back to limited overs matches for final stretch of the fight for the AJ Sports Surrey Championship Premier Division title. Richard Spiller checks out week 14’s ups and downs.
Sutton v Reigate Priory
Fabian Cowdrey’s fourth unbeaten century of the season could not prevent Reigate Priory maintaining the pace at the summit, staying 11 points clear.
The former Kent all-rounder made 103no, leading a second wicket partnership worth 93 with Rehan Ratnasapabathy (46), giving Sutton hope of a challenging total when they reached 118-2 with 17 overs still to bat.
Surrey U18 spinner Tommy Bates broke through, taking a return catch to remove the opener which started a slide of five wickets for 51, only Connor Griffin (18no) providing Cowdrey with much back-up in steering Sutton to 213-7. Bates (2-39) and leg-spinner Michael Munday (2-33) were key factors in delivering their 10-over spells.
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Tommy | Michael |
Reigate’s strength in depth has been a key factor this season, the loss of Richie Oliver for a speedy 25 was compensated by Luke Haughton (43) and Seth McDowell (42) adding 56 and victory by six wickets secured by Fraser Sheat (30no) and Tom Massey (42no) seeing them home with 6.2 overs in hand.
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Richie |
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Luke | Seth |
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Fraser | Tom |
East Molesey v Guildford
East Molesey kept their cool in the heat to stay on Reigate’s tail, winning by seven runs and pushing Guildford further into trouble at the other end of the table.
[It looked for a long time like Guildford were going to help us, but just fell short. Ed.]
Weybridge v Wimbledon
Wimbledon remain third, 19 points off the pace and knowing this weekend’s clash with Reigate probably holds the key to their ambitions of a second title in three years.
Full report here.
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A Llama perspective in addition to Richard Spiller's views:
For those wondering about what happens in the last four games.
Looking at the games ahead, East Molesey in second place have what looks like the easiest run-in to the end of the season, only playing teams in the bottom half of the table. So ideally we need at least one of these teams to step up in order to upset this 'easy' run-in.
Wimbledon in third, like Reigate. have three top half of the table games and one lower half. Ideally we need a good win over them this coming Saturday to put them out of contention for the League title.
Statistically Ashtead and Banstead, who both have two top half and two bottom half clashes, are unlikely to progress up the table because whilst not impossible, it is improbable that they will win all four games. In addition to winning all four games, mathematically to get to the top of the table they would also need East Molesey and Wimbledon to lose two of their matches, and Reigate to lose three.
Nothing is guaranteed and putting crystal balls aside, we need more of the same from the Llamas that has got us to where we are today.
As Richard Spiller said a couple of weeks ago "Strength, belief and resilience are hallmarks of successful teams and Reigate Priory are displaying all three".
Bold = Top Half of the Table Club...
Reigate | 210 points |
17-Aug | Wimbledon |
24-Aug | Weybridge |
31-Aug | Ashtead |
07-Sep | Banstead |
East Molesey | 199 points |
17-Aug | Weybridge |
24-Aug | Esher |
31-Aug | Sunbury |
07-Sep | Sutton |
Wimbledon | 191 points |
17-Aug | Reigate |
24-Aug | Ashtead |
31-Aug | Banstead |
07-Sep | Guildford |
Ashtead | 169 points |
17-Aug | Sutton |
24-Aug | Wimbledon |
31-Aug | Reigate |
07-Sep | Weybridge |
Banstead | 166 points |
17-Aug | Sunbury |
24-Aug | Sutton |
31-Aug | Wimbledon |
07-Sep | Reigate |