Fuller's League Division One

Ripley 199-6

Horley 202-8

Horley finally got their first league success in 2009 after a nail biting finish on Ripley Green.

Acting captain Harry Chaudhary won the toss and he asked the hosts to bat first.

Initially, Ripley's openers were kept in check by Adam Bunce (1-44) and eventual man of the match, Harry Williams (1-20).

After the breakthrough Baddock (90 not out) batted with caution as Stuart MacPherson (1-14), Trevor Stevens (1-46) and Manjit Rajput (2-58) all bowled well.

If catches were to win matches Horley should have lost as they conspired to spill no less than six chances.

After 47.5 overs home captain Ben Brown called a halt to proceedings with a sporting declaration in which Horley would require 4.17 per over for victory.

In a surprise move Chaudhary asked David Keyte (19) and teenager Harry Williams to open the batting and his call worked as the pair added 65 for the first loss.

Alex Smith, (8) joined Williams to take the score to 100-2 when Smith departed after a smart catch by keeper Brown.

Horley then conspired to lose wickets at regular intervals with the hosts seeking victory. Parsons took 4-67 and Blanchard 3-26 but Horley's ninth wicket pairing of Lewis Tomkins (25 not out) and Trevor Stevens, (26 not out) dug in. Harry Williams' knock of 71, including a six and 12 boundaries in good time, set up the away win but it was the two experienced heads that secured a more than useful 20 points for Horley as they passed the finishing post with two overs remaining.

It was less good news for the club's second XI who were held to a draw by Ripley II in the Fullers League 2nd XI Division One.

Wickets were at a premium at Horley as just seven wickets were taken in total after this high scoring draw.

Matt Lee asked Ripley to take first knock and the pairing of Harris (123) and Sampath (107) enjoyed a partnership of 225 for the first wicket. Lee used seven bowlers in an attempt to make the breakthrough but it was colt Matthew Ware (2-49) who did so.

Angus Kirk 1-47 and Ashley Yeo (1-25) were the other bowlers to take a wicket as Ripley amassed 281 from just 43.4 overs.

Horley would require 282 from 52 overs to win the game at almost 5.5 an over and it would prove to be an unlikely task with the loss of Jonathan Dibble for a duck.

Paul Kirkham (79) and Lewis Forsdick (57) enjoyed a century second wicket partnership as Horley fought hard for maximum batting points. This they achieved as George Hyde made 37 not out before stumps.

On Sunday Horley eased past Ifield to win their 40 over friendly.

Phil Norman scored his first century of the 2009 campaign as Horley shone in the sunshine as they romped to 310 from their allocated overs.

In reply Matt Lee (3-38) took top bowling honours although there were also wickets for George Hyde and Trevor Stevens, whilst Manjit Rajput and Tomkins took two each as Horley won by 137 runs.