Reports 19th June

Cheam – 118-3 beat Brook – 117

Danny Miller was extremely pleased with his Cheam side after their convincing victory over Brook at Peaches Close on Saturday.

The Cheam captain, who scored 25 not out and took one wicket went on to say that he hoped that this good run of results will continue. He said, “We’ve got a great momentum at the moment, we just need to keep being this clinical.” Cheam won by seven wickets thanks largely to the seam bowling of Steve Clark and Leigh Harrison.

Miller won the toss and chose to have a bowl what was a very good pitch despite the rain that had been present during the week. Brook got off to a slow start with both openers struggling to contend with the pace and bounce of the Cheam bowlers. Brook captain, Matt Swarbrick, then went on the offensive but was caught in the slips off the bowling of Harrison with the score at 20.

This opened the floodgates as a procession of Brook batsmen made their way to and from the crease without managing to influence the innings in any significant manner. These batsmen included William Young who was run out in a bizarre fashion when he decided to walk down the wicket whilst the ball was being fielded and did not even attempt to make his ground.

When Harry Schofield was caught off the bowling of Miller for 25, Brook found themselves reeling at 48-7. However, the last three Brook batsmen dug their heels in slightly and managed to push the score up to 117 before they were all out in the 45^th over. Opening bowlers Clark and Harrison did most of the damage by picking up three and four wickets respectively.

Cheam’s opening batsman found it much easier to score with David Houpapa’s usual brand of hard hitting batting getting the innings off to a solid start. Adrian Jones seemed quite content to let Houpapa play his shots but took over the reins when Houpapa was caught off the bowling of George Adolphus for 39. Jones’ welcome return to form included nine fours but was ended on 43 when he was caught off the bowling of Brook’s overseas player, Tarun Nethula.

This left Danny Miller and Steve Clark to steer Cheam to victory and they did so in the 24^th over. Another confident display from Cheam, who have lost just once in their first seven games. This victory saw them rise to second in Surrey Championship Division One and they will hope to continue their good form next week away at Epsom.