EFFINGHAM STAY ON TOP AFTER CONVINCING WIN v HORLEY

Horley 1^st XI v Effingham 1^st XI

Fuller’s Brewery Surrey County League – 2^nd Division

After travelling to Horley for the second league match in their new division, Effingham called incorrectly at the toss and Horley decided to bat first on a wicket that was good for batting, while having a little in it for the bowlers.

Josh White and Matt Dixon made a good start with the ball, Dixon taking the first wicket with the first ball of his spell. He struck again in his sixth over dismissing Strode, caught by wicket-keeper Mal Russell. Horley started to rebuild around Kirk, who played a sterling innings, including a number of sparkling square off drives.

Kirk scored 44, but after his wicket fell, Horley’s scoring slowed down and they finished with a total of 144. Josh White bowled well and deserved his return of 3-16 in his nine overs. Six further wickets were shared between Matt Dixon, 2-23, Nick Proctor, 2-25 and Mark Collin 2-33.

The Effingham innings started brightly, but having scored 13, Jake White was comprehensively bowled by Gainsford, who may well worry a few other batsmen in the future. Cameron Walters was the second wicket to fall with the score on 68 and that brought Mark Collin to the crease to join Nick Procter. They both batted with confidence and rarely looked troubled by the Horley bowlers. The Effingham total moved on without any further wickets falling and with Mark Collin scoring 39 not out and Nick Procter 59 not out, they saw the team over the line to win by a very convincing 8 wickets, and maintain their position at the top of Division 2 – a great start after being promoted as champions last year.