1s make it 2 from 2

Luke Beaven writes...

Reigate Priory beat Guildford by 25 runs in a match up that went down to the last couple overs. This leaves Reigate 2 wins from 2 games and top of the table with it all to do.

Guildford arrived at Park Lane with their tail between their legs and after winning the toss elected to bowl on what looked a deteriorating wicket. Much to the delight of the Reigate captain who wanted to bat first this time around.

Reigate got off to their customary quick start when Hairs and Scriven both found the ropes in the early overs. Although the scoring was helped by some off target bowling by Guildford's opening bowlers (21 wides 3 no balls). Reigate continued to score quickly even after losing Hairs (21) early in the piece as Craig Cachopa coming in at 3 played a composed close to a run a ball 43.

Scriven (62 off 92 balls) continued to show his qualities by using his feet to spin on a spinning wicket and keeping things ticking over. The Priory lost three quick wickets in the middle overs with Murtagh(7) Delmont (10)& Scriven all departing leaving the score on 173-5 in the 35th over. This meant a little rebuilding was needed and it came in the shape of Ben Shoare (18), Ali Raja (48 off 43 balls) & Simon King (27 off 20 balls).

The Score was lifted to 271 all out for the Priory and the captain was pleased with his teams efforts with the bat. Time for a cup of tea and a think on how to go about the next phrase of the game.

Guildford started in typical Guildford fashion. Although they lost one early pole that didn't stop the flow of runs scored in the powerplay overs. Promoted batsmen/keeper Mr. Moore showed plenty of fight and given that he survived more than one chance in his 61 he played some very good shots in amongst the rest.

This left Guildford in a good position at 94-1 after 19 overs. Into the frame came the plentiful Richard 'Dickie' Stevens who was promoted this week and boy did he grab the bull by the horns. In his 10 overs he bowled some hostile stuff that allowed the captain to attack and defend at the same time - Goldust!

He was helped at the other end tie things down but the wily old dog Simon King who really became man of the match with his all round efforts. This is a guy who just wants to bowl, especially when things aren't going to plan, give me the ball skip!

These two put the breaks on - King getting rid of Moore in his first over and Stevens getting his reward of Bradley Erasmus in a deja-vu moment. This involved exactly the same ball bowled twice to be firstly put down in the gully then luckily for the Skipper holding on second time around the very next ball - PHHHHHHHEW!

This left the visitors stunned but not out of the picture with them requiring 156 in 20 overs with 5 wickets in hand. Thanks to some tight bowling and careful planning the Reigate squeeze took full effect.

Lincoln Edwards the Guildford overseas was battling away for his team but he lacked the support from the other end. It finally became to much for him when he was caught and bowled by Beaven in a power-play over.

Andrew Delmont & Ben Shoare bowled well at the depth and Guildford were swinging away but never really looked like they would get close.

The Llamas were victorious and thankful for some brilliant individual performances in a very much team effort. The show must go on...