Fuller's League 2nd XI Division One

Caterham 172

Byfleet 172-2

Caterham suffered a demoralising defeat in a turgid encounter on a wet day in Byfleet.

Having lost the toss, Caterham were inserted onto a spongy track that had not benefited from the overnight rain.

The persistent rain showers that fell throughout the game made it difficult for both teams, but the home side had the advantage for 90 per cent of the game.

Rathore and Chapman struggled with the variable bounce and Chapman (4) was quickly back in the pavilion.

The rest of Caterham's top six also failed to get to grips with the skiddy surface, only Thomson (10) reaching double figures before he was needlessly run out by Rathore.

Rathore batted well for his 54 but when he and number seven Weddell (19) fell, Caterham were languishing at 135-8.

A sprightly cameo from Orrick (21) and some exquisite shots from new batsman Rhodes (14no) helped the score to respectability, reaching 172 all out from the 48th over.

In damp conditions, Caterham were confident this total should be enough to cause the home side some problems.

But this confidence was misplaced. Despite a tight opening spell of Orrick (0-15) and Rhodes (0-33) using the old ball well, Byfleet remained largely untroubled and continued to advance their score ominously.

It wasn't until the score was on 93 that the first wicket fell and by this point, momentum was firmly with Byfleet.

With a bowling attack struggling to achieve any source of penetration until Thompson (1-18) came on, Byfleet never struggled as they seemed to take an eternity chasing down the total.

Now hovering two places above the relegation places, Caterham know they have to pick themselves up if they are to avoid a dogfight.