Normandy 191 Old Mid-Whitgiftians 158-7
A match which promised an exciting finish petered out into a tame draw after Old Mid-Whitgiftians' batsmen lost their way chasing an important victory over fellow strugglers Normandy on Saturday.
A draw was ultimately a fitting result in a tight contest between two evenly-matched sides.
Normandy made a slow start after electing to bat as opening bowlers SimonDuncan and Tony Brugnoli claimed two early wickets.
Mids' performance in the field was a marked improvement on recent weeks and their athleticism on Normandy's huge outfield saved numerous runs.
Spinners James Carpenter and Colin Bryan restricted Normandy to 109 runs from the first 45 overs, but the loss of only four wickets and prolific captain Junior Simpson at the crease ensured that they were well placed to accelerate.
Simpson grafted hard for the day's top score of 67, and his dismissal did not affect the rising scoring rate as Kenny Hazel (21), Robert Woods (21) and ChrisAllen all made valuable contributions. Normandy were bowled out for 191 in the final over. Duncan got figures of 4-42 while Brugnoli and Carpenter claimed two wickets apiece.
Mids made a solid start in reply as Graham Cobbett and PhilMcDonnell put on 47 for the first wicket, their largest opening partnership of the season. When McDonnell was well caught by Allen at gulley for 28, Cobbett followed in the next over, but Robert Warne and newcomer MarkAbberley continued to lead the victory charge.
Abberley looked short of match practice in his first game for two years but acquitted himself well while Warne kept the scoreboard moving. The pair had taken Mids to within 100 runs of their target with an hour and a half remaining before a misunderstanding led to Abberley being run out at the non-striker's end.
Three overs later, Warne was caught by Hazel playing a rash shot and Mids lost their momentum as spinners Hazel and Woods successfully subdued the struggling batsmen.
Paul Kember hit a rapid 16 including a big six off Allen but his dismissal effectively ended their victory hopes.
Pete James finished unbeaten on 22 as Mids played out a tedious last hour in relative comfort for the loss of one further wicket.
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