East Horsley hold on for draw

Effingham v East Horsley

Village Cricket League

Cricket on a Sunday afternoon can often produce close finishes, and this VCL fixture was no exception. Effingham’s openers – captain Josh Farrell and Rob Gibbons – both settled in quickly and put on 148 for the first wicket. Gibbons fell first having scored 51, and Farrell was well on his way to 100 when he was run out for 85. Dave Roberts stayed for the remainder of the innings, finishing with 35 not out. A few other smaller contributions lifted Effingham’s final total to 242 for 7 in 45 overs.

East Horsley started just as confidently as their opponents and the first three batsmen scored 44, 51 and 61, promising a close contest.

The score was progressing well until four or five wickets fell in quick succession and the result then became very unpredictable. With nine wickets down and 18 still needed for East Horsley to claim a winning draw, Slater continued his resistance and held out with 37 not out, but could not get the required runs. Despite not claiming the final wicket to record a win, Effingham had earned their winning draw.

Rob Gibbons and Josh Raffaelli were the best of Effingham’s bowlers with 4-35 and 2-33 respectively, both having picked up two wickets in two balls, without completing their hat-tricks.