Put the champagne on ice...

*written from the Riviera Maya*

Surrey Championship Division 3 1st XI
Oxted and Limpsfield CC 1st XI – 251 – 5 dec (48 overs)
Ashford CC 1st XI – 131 (41.4 overs)
Oxted and Limpsfield CC win by 120 runs

Oxted took on mid table Ashford at Master Park in the last of the timed games this season.

Stuart Fletcher and Simon Jackson looked to make the most of the excellent batting conditions however Fletcher (6) fell early. Mis-cuing a pull to mid wicket.

Nadeem Durrany was next man and together he and Jackson took advantage of any poor bowling, bringing up their 50 partnership just before Durrany was out for 31 off 30 balls.

Fresh from a half century last week, Jack Lloyd was next up however he couldn't repeat the feat as he was caught for 11; Oxted 90 for 3.

Ben Fullard was next at the crease and he immediately looked in fine form, whipping balls off his legs for multiple boundaries. Jackson continued at the other end and brought up his 50 soon after.

Ashford rotated their bowling attack however neither batsmen looked troubled.
With the scoreboard looking extremely ominous for the away team, Oxted applied further pressure. First Simon Jackson brought up a consecutive league hundred and then Ben Fullard registered his second 50 of the season.

With the scoreboard on 228 Fullard was caught trying to push the score on. Andy Starling joined Jackson as they tried to make the most of the last few overs.

At the end of the 48th over with the score on 251, Jackson declared and walked off the pitch to another standing ovation. Carrying his bat for 131 not out. That is 281 runs for Jackson in the last 2 weeks.

Lee Mcilwraith and Ben Fullard took the new ball for Oxted but with the pitch drying out, this was always going to be a short sharp spell prior to the spinners.

Fullard (2-32) managed to pick up 2 early wickets, one of which an excellent catch up to the stumps from Mike Wood.
Mcilwraith (0-27) bowled with good pace and control and was unlucky to not pick up a wicket when a sharp chance was put down in the slips.

It was now the spin twins turn and Ned Lack and across Powell were not going to miss out.
Bowling together in a partnership, they took turns as picking up wickets; a procession of Ashford batsmen making their way first out to the middle and then back shortly after.

With the score on 111-9 the pair continued however Lack (3-34) and Powell (4-31) could not pick up the final wicket that would all but guarantee Oxted promotion.

Jackson threw the ball to Jay Mastin who took 4 balls to trap Ashfords number 11 in front LBW.

Oxted picked up 24 points and are now only 3 points from promotion. This will be achieved if they do not lose at home to Streatham and Marlborough this Saturday at Master Park starting at 12.

Natterbox Man of the Match goes to Skipper Simon Jackson for his 131 not out.