Fuller's League Division Two

Merstham 220-2

Old Suttonians 190

MERSTHAM were made to work hard for their first win in four league games by Old Suttonians at Quality Street on Saturday, after Peter Freeman scored his first century for the club.

After being inserted by Old Sutts, Merstham got off to another positive start through Ed Loader and Freeman, taking the score to 89 before Loader fell for 44 off the bowling of Matt Smith.

Joe Shinners and Freeman continued to attack the Old Sutts bowlers and an early declaration was made after 36.4 overs when Shinners was dismissed for 56 by de Cuyper just after Freeman had notched up his first century for Merstham at 220-2.

In reply, Merstham attacked from the start and had Old Sutts reeling at 13-3 with Patel (2-16) and Shinners (3-17) bowling an aggressive new-ball line at the Old Sutts top order.

This immediately put Old Sutts on the defensive, but with a minimum of 59 overs to bat it would be hard to not show some intent in chasing only their second win on a very good batting track.

Adam and David Sauttar, in tandem at the crease, frustrated Merstham for 15 overs before Vincent trapped David lbw for 17 and followed it up with the dismissal of Fitzgerald soon after.

This brought Broughton to the crease who had decided the best method of defence was attack and forced the field to spread after he and Adam Sauttar began to play some expansive shots.

The long spell in the field in the heat was affecting Merstham's fielding as four catches went down during this partnership before Patel finally held onto one at deep midwicket off the bowling of Rviers to dismiss Sauttar for 87.

De Cuyper joined Broughton at the crease and with these two batting the win was still a possibility but the re-introduction of Shinners removed both leaving Smith and O'Toole to try to bat out the remaining time.

With Merstham having bowled their allotted overs in quick time they were able to bowl more and Rivers finally dismissed Smith in the 60th over to finish off a satisfying win for Merstham.

Fuller's League 2nd XI Division Two

Old Suttonians 157

Merstham 158-4

MERSTHAM returned to winning ways with a win against Old Suttonians.

Having elected to bat Old Suttonians failed to register any big partnerships with wickets falling at regular intervals.

The returning Zeeshan Murtaza was the pick of the visitors' bowlers, claiming 4-30, while for Old Suttonians Paul Wrankmore (26) and S Bukhali (32) were the major contributers with the bat.

The hosts were eventually bowled out for 157 in 43 overs.

Merstham had no problems in knocking off the required runs with Malcolm Burt (44) and Jason Drewett (51) ensuring a six-wicket victory with 22 overs remaining.

Merstham entertain Wandgas at Quality Street this Saturday.