Dorking left frustrated by tail-end resistance

By djones

Surrey Championship Division Five

Dorking 251-9

Chertsey 155-8

AFTER two emphatic wins in succession Dorking entertained Chertsey at Pixham Lane knowing they had already beaten their rivals once this year.

However, despite dominating the match Dorking were frustrated as the visitors held on for a losing draw.

With the picturesque ground bathed in sunshine Dorking were asked to have a bat on what again looked like a fantastic wicket. This proved every inch the case as openers Rob Chave and Tom Chisman scored at six an over, with Chave in destructive form.

However, he was first to fall one shy of 50 with the score on 59 as Chisman was joined by the in-form Lewis Davies. Both batsmen looked comfortable before Chisman tried one shot too many and was caught for 20.

This meant Davies and the hard-hitting Andy Homewood upped the run rate further in a stand of 62 before Davies fell for a run-a-ball 39. This prompted a mini-collapse that saw Dorking reduced to 139-5.

Soon after Homewood fell with the score on 151 for a well compiled 35.

A seventh wicket stand of 42 between skipper Graham Dymond and Francis Chadwick got the momentum going again before Dymond was unfortunately run out on 21.

The final overs produced a flurry of runs as Tom Chave supported Chadwick (48) in a quick-fire stand of 21.

The last over saw Mark Wadey smash 11 from his three balls faced as Dorking set a perilous 251.

In reply Dorking knew any outcome was possible with the pitch still looking particularly flat. They set about bowling very tight lines as they kept the run rate down aided by some excellent ground fielding.

The breakthrough came with the score on 29 as Davies picked up his first wicket. With Chertsey becoming seemingly uninterested in a win the hosts were made to work hard for their wickets and they finally got the second with the score on 62 through the tireless Scott Kelsey.

After drinks the hosts talked their way to two quick dismissals as Homewood bagged both with the score on 102.

Davies then accounted for the powerful Boast and Homewood grabbed his third in capturing Peeroo.

Both seamers were in full flow as they claimed one more apiece but it was left to Chertsey's skipper to see the draw out and give Dorking four points. Davies finished with 3-32 and Homewood 4-26.

Dorking travel to Richie Richardson's Thames Ditton this Saturday in massive game in the race for promotion.