Fullard does it again

Surrey Championship Division 3 1st XI
Oxted and Limpsfield CC 1st XI – 248 for 8 dec (51.4 overs)
Cheam CC CC 1st XI – 121 all out (31.2 overs)
Oxted & Limpsfield CC win by 127 runs

Oxted & Limpsfield travelled to Cheam CC, being the only side to have beaten the league leaders so far this season, Oxted went into the match wanting to make amends for their previous loss.

With the hardest deck to offer so far this season, Oxted lost the toss and were offered to have a bat. The Cheam opening bowlers tested the Oxted top order with some consistent tight lines and lengths, reducing the score to 57-3. Meanwhile through the fall of wickets Andrew Starling looked as confident as ever with the bat, playing an array of shots around the ground until being caught on 46 down the ground.
However, continuing on his fine vain of form was Ben Fullard. Fresh from his career best figures the previous week of 9-30, Fullard looked imperious at the crease. Batting with consummate ease stroked the ball around the park to keep the scoreboard ticking along and soon brought up his half century, along with some inventive shots from Powell the two brought up their hundred partnership together before Powell being run out for 46. Fullard continued to hit the ball around the park and brought up his Century in the closing overs finishing 100*. Very well batted young sir

Cheam seeming confident of chasing down the target, but didn’t start their innings as they would have liked. Still buoyed by his hundred, Fullard took the first wicket of the innings with a sharp catch at point by Powell. Charles Trott then joined the party shortly by removing the remaining Cheam opener, Trott (17 years old) on his first team debut bowled with good lines and a surprising bouncer (to the shock of Cheam’s number 3) which meant that Lee Mcilwraith wasn’t as missed as first thought, and gave Oxted nice left and right arm variation with the new ball.

After some consolidation in the middle, Cheam managed to reach 51/2 of 11 overs, on the run rate to chase score down. However, the introduction of Powell was the undoing of the Cheam middle order. With the Cheam’s overseas pro Umpherston looking in fine form, Powell produced a magic ball to bowl him reducing Cheam to 61-3, soon to become 74-5. With the pitch now turning and Powell continuing to pick up wickets, Lack was introduced to finish of the game. With the Cheam lower order looking to maintain the run rate, Oxted were able to pick up the remaining wickets with two more catches to add to the days work for Fullard.
Powell finished with the final figures of 5-32, but the Nattterbox man of the match, for the second week running is Ben Fullard for his magnificent hundred.

Oxted & Limpsfield CC passed the 200 point mark and remain top of Division 3, 54 points ahead of 2nd and 76 points ahead of 3rd place.