Champions condemn Tanners to third straight loss

Surrey Championship Division Two

Leatherhead 226-6

Camberley 227-2

LEATHERHEAD plummeted to their third successive defeat on Saturday against league leaders Camberley, who were crowned champions after a dominant display against a lacklustre home side.

After winning the toss Leatherhead elected to bat first on what looked to be a pitch that would crumble throughout the day and bring into play the home side’s three pronged spin attack.

Camberley’s new ball bowlers showed exceptional control and accuracy on a helpful wicket and Leatherhead found it very hard to gain any kind of momentum.

Openers Dyson (2) and Laidman (11) were quickly dismissed leaving Leatherhead under pressure, not only to build a partnership but also to up the scoring rate.

French and Joblin came together at the crease and fought hard to see off the new ball, but still scoring was difficult. The change bowlers brought light relief, French (70) began to find the boundary and the pair ran well between the wickets.

When Joblin was dismissed for a hard working 62, the pair had put on 159 and managed to increase the run rate to almost four per over.

This laid the platform for the remaining batsman to come in with a license to attack and Bonellei (15), Peak (26no), Gibson (4) and Matt Baker (1no), enabled the home side to a more than respectable 226 from their allotted 50 overs.

The home side knew Camberley would come out and attack and that building up pressure was a must.

Unfortunately a poor display of bowling followed and Camberley got away to a flyer with Miller (24) and Rodrigues (76) taking the attack to the bowlers.

Boundaries were coming thick and fast as the home side failed to exert any control on the innings and when the fielding restrictions were relaxed after 15 overs, Camberley had raced to 107-1.

The visitors managed to amass a massive 20 boundaries during the first 15 overs.

Camberley skipper Grice (77no) and Young (33no) were troubled by the spin bowlers but as they had got so far ahead of the scoring rate, were under no real pressure to accelerate further.

Spinners Roberts (1-39), Dyson (0-44) and Bonellei (0-38) bowled well, but Camberley reached their target with 10 overs to spare.

It was a disappointing display from the home side but congratulations go to Camberley, deserved champions of Division Two.