But defeat ends Old Whits’ hopes of going up

CHEAM reignited their promotion challenge and killed off Old Whitgiftians’ hopes in the process with a six-wicket win at Peaches Close last Saturday.

The hosts’ victory in a rain-affected match completed a league double over their Croydon neighbours for the second season in succession.

A minute’s silence was observed at the start in memory of Brian Harris who died last week at the age of just 51. He was instrumental in the development of the Old Whits’ colts section and the visiting players wore black arm bands.

Cheam skipper Danny Miller won the toss and inserted OW’s on a lively wicket that had a few damp patches after the overnight rain and had immediate success as Lee Harrison took the key wicket of David Ward after the OW captain chased a wide one and was taken by England U16 keeper Michael Burgess.

Laurie Evans looked good in adding 64 for the second wicket with Sam Woodward who battled hard for 41 balls before miscuing to cover off Miller for 12 leaving Whits 69-2 in the 17th.

Em Raja nicked to first slip after hitting Harrison for a lofted boundary and Alex Goward then fell lbw first ball before Murtaza Hussain helped Evans rebuild the innings.

Evans made 61 in 78 balls before edging behind to Burgess, and from 105-5 in the 25th over, Whits lost Mike Winson (11) and Sean Coughlan (4) to slip to 145-7.

Heavy rains caused a 90-minute break after which OWs batted out their innings, Murtaza making a good 50 supported by Jason Lewis with 10 and Shan Malik 21 enabling OW’s to reach 216 all out in the 50th over. Harrison (3-31) and Miller (3-34) were the pick of the Cheam attack.

The hosts’ revised target was reduced to 145 in 26 overs to take account of the rain break, and their reply was launched in a flurry of boundaries as both Evans and Jason Lewis were put to the sword by David Houpapa and Miller.

Evans shipped 17 in his first over as Cheam roared to 45 off the first four overs, although Lewis eventually had his revenge when Miller was well caught on the long on boundary.

But the damage had been done. Ward was forced into early changes as Surrey 2’s spinner Freddie Van den Bergh was introduced with immediate effect.

Houpapa was adjudged lbw and Salmons spooned one to cover but runs continued to flow. Murtaza had Clark lbw reverse sweeping but with Cheam well ahead of the rate it was left to Paul Cohen (30no) and Dan Johnson (19no) to calmly see them home with four overs to spare.

Cheam second XI moved 29 points clear of third place with a routine victory over Camberley to further strengthen their promotion challenge.

Camberley were dismissed for 203 and the rain reduced target left Cheam needing 187 from 42 overs which they duly passed just two wickets down with 13 overs in hand. Dylan Duraisingham and Michael O’Donnell both scored half centuries.