Merstham's winning run is over

By lpoynton

Fuller's League Division Two

Merstham 178

Haslemere 179-8

MERSTHAM'S winning streak came to an end as another wet day at Quality Street saw the toss become even more vital than usual.

Haslemere captain Jon Larbey inserted Merstham on a drying, slow wicket which provided early movement for Haslemere's bowlers.

Leigh Thayre particularly benefited and he got the early wicket of in-form Shinners for nine with the score on 22.

Ed Loader and Jason Kyte saw off the rest of the new ball spell, resilient in defence with Loader punishing the short ball and taking the score to 100 before Kyte fell for 21.

Haslemere's Boxall brothers bowled tightly preventing Loader and Drewitt accelerating before Loader finally fell trapped lbw to Graham Boxall in the 36th over for 60 runs.

With the score now on 110 this was time for the Merstham batsman to up the run rate to push towards a score of 200 and be able to apply pressure to the Haslemere top order.

Unfortunately for Merstham this brought a flurry of wickets and only Drewitt (36) and Andy Rivers (17) made it to double figures as Graham Boxall (6-31) and Clement's tempting off spinners were hit, but hit to fielders as Merstham slumped to 178 all out.

In reply Simon Eastment made the most of some loose new ball bowling from Newton and Shinners, batting aggressively and riding his luck.

Shinners eventually made the first breakthrough taking the wicket of Clement with the score on 48 giving Merstham hope.

And when Pant took the wickets of Gray and Dudley and Safyan Aslam finally got Eastment caught at mid off for 67 in quick succession to leave the score on 101-4, Merstham were right back in the game.

But sensible batting from Andrew Hastilow and Ryan Sharvin took the score to 154 before Shinners came back for his second spell and trapped Hastilow lbw, bringing big-hitter Graham Boxall to the crease.

Boxall was able to make a quick 16 before falling to the spin of James Vincent and Haslemere were within four runs of the win with four wickets in hand.

Two more quick wickets fell but but skipper Jon Larbey came in to hit the winning runs and move Haslemere to the top of the league.

MERSTHAM thirds kept up the pressure at the top of the Fullers League third division table with a tight 20 run win at the expense of Woodmansterne.

Having lost the toss Merstham were put into bat and got off to a fine start with the hard hitting Rob Young (56) claiming another half century with a flurry of fine cuts and cover drives, sharing an opening partnership of 75 with Imran Aslam (23).

Ali Pervais made a positive 27 before being caught off the pick of the Woodmansterne bowlers Ted Giles (6-13).

This signalled a collapse in the Merstham team as Giles accurate bowling eventually squeezed the run rate and ensured Merstham were restricted to 157 all out from their 43 overs.

In reply, defending such a low total Merstham immediately went on the attack and had quickly reduced the hosts to 17-3.

It was then left to opener Steve Edwards (37) and Robert Hicks (51) to rebuild the innings and swing the momentum back to the hosts.

As has been a feature this season, the Merstham team did not give up and some fine catching and tight bowling particularly from Adeel Ahmed (4-22) Ameer Pasha (2-11) and Ian McGillivray (2-30) secured a thrilling 20 run victory for the away side.

Merstham entertain West End Esher at the Hawthorns School this weekend.