Fullard on Cloud 9

Surrey Championship Division 3 1st XI
Addiscombe CC 1st XI – 77 all out (33.1 overs)
Oxted and Limpsfield CC 1st XI – 78 - 5 (20.2 overs)

Oxted and Limpsfield CC win by 5 wickets

After last week’s results going the way of Oxted and Limpsfield 1st XI, this weekend they travelled to Trinity Mid-Whitgiftians in an attempt to extend their lead at the top of Division 3 at the mid-way point of the season.

Skipper Simon Jackson won the toss and elected to bowl. The usual attack of Lee Mcilwraith and Ben Fullard set about hitting decent areas as the Trinity openers struggled to get runs on the board. When both openers were out, Trinity were on 21 for 2; both wickets to Fullard.
The Oxted pair continued to push and Mcilwraith should have been rewarded when a number of chances went to hand, only for catches to be put down. This wasn’t however an issue off the bowling of Fullard, as he picked up his 3rd, 4th and 5th wickets with catches; the latter an excellent grab by Jackson at cover - the score 49-5. Fullard then reduced Trinity to 49-7 after two caught and bowled.
Mcilwraith (0-24 from 9) deserved a wicket however this was not to be as Jackson replaced him with Ross Powell.
Fullard continued unchanged from one end in search of his 8th wicket. This didn’t take long as he bowled Matt Winter for 10, Trinity now 65-8.
Powell (1-21) was desperately searching for a wicket that would prevent Fullard picking up all 10! He did get his way when Ben Ives edged to Ned Lack at slip.
Ben Fullard did have the last say though, and wrapped up the Trinity innings bowling Matt Sullivan. Trinity finished on 77 all out and Fullard ended with career best figures of 9 for 30 off 16.1 overs with 5 maidens.
He deservedly lead the team off to a standing ovation from the Oxted fans who had come to watch the game after their own were rained off.

After a very good tea, Stuart Fletcher and Simon Jackson went about trying to get the 78 required to win. Jackson (5) was out early, however this only brought Nadeem Durrany to the crease who played some big shots on his way to 30. When Fletcher departed, Oxted were on 34-2 and this was soon 39-3, Andy Starling being bowled. When Durrany was out, Oxted were on 59-4, requiring 19 runs.
Fullard and Powell, worked well together again; this time with a batting partnership, taking Oxted to within 10 of victory before Fullard was bowled for 15. Alex Pizzey then joined Powell and together they knocked off the remaining 10 runs to see Oxted home with 5 wickets with more than 12 overs still to bat.

For the second week in a row, results and weather affected games went the way of Oxted and Limpsfield. They are now top of the league by 40 points, and ahead of 3rd place by 76.

Natterbox Man of the Match can go to none other than Ben Fullard for his career best 9-30. Next week Oxted travel to Cheam – the only side to have beaten them this year.