Merstham win second game on the bounce

By lpoynton

Fullers League Division Two

Merstham 213 Shepperton 86

Merstham comfortably won their second game on the bounce when they hosted high-flying Shepperton at Quality Street.

Shepperton were sitting in second place in the league before the match. After winning the toss, their skipper David Dieterle inserted Merstham and could have been forgiven for feeling confident bearing in mind Merstham's poor start to the season.

Ed Loader and Joe Shinners scored freely against the new ball on their way to an opening stand of 69 when Loader departed for 27 playing a loose shot to cover.

Shinners continued to find the gaps on his way to his second league half century of the season but it was the introduction of Rawlinson to the attack which brought wickets at the other end.

Kyte was bowled after a scratchy 14, and Chapman who was adjudged lbw without scoring. Shinners was yorked on 57 and Turner was caught behind second ball.

Patel and Vincent were left to steady the ship but the loss of Vincent to the left arm slow bowling of Barker left Merstham reeling. Positive batting and running from Patel (38), Stuart (18), Hamilton (28no), Fleming (14) and Feist (6) ensured the Merstham tail wagged before being bowled out for what appeared to be a par score of 213.

Dan Feist got the initial breakthrough bowling in-form Barker before Shinners got some luck at the other end with a rare full toss which looped to Turner at mid-off.

The game was effectively won in one over with a triple-wicket maiden from Feist ripping through Shepperton's number three, four and five all caught behind from fine nicks to Dan Hamilton.

The Shepperton skipper hit a quick fire 24 including a straight six off Shinners and back-to-back fours off Feist before he too fell to the away swing of Feist.

Chapman took two wickets with balls which kept low and then a fine outside edge bringing Hamilton yet another catch. The game was done and dusted when Shinners bowled Westcar to complete the victory in 23.1 overs, bowling Shepperton out for 86.