Fuller’s League Division One

Putney 216-8

Merstha 220-8

The two unbeaten teams in the Surrey County League Division One will meet at Quality Street on Saturday, with Merstham skipper Naveed Saeed having received a ringing endorsement a about his bowling attack.

That came from Putney, who set a strong target at Quality Street on Saturday, having been invited to bat in overcast conditions, but ultimately became promoted Merstham’s fourth consecutive victims in the league this season.

Pictures from the game can be seen on the Surrey Mirror website.

Wasil Mohar and Ammar Tahir rewarded the decision to bowl with an early wicket each to remove the openers, before Devon Ebersohn (66) and Will Middleton (52) put on a partnership of more than 100.

The introduction of spinner Tharusha Tilakarathne, the fifth bowler, proved decisive, as he made both men out, Ebersohn caught by Tahir and Middleton stumped by wicketkeeper Andy Rivers.

Tilakarathne finished with 3-34 off his nine overs.

In Merstham’s reply, Rivers, returning for his first game in the first team this season, opened with 21, spending most of that at the crease with Joe Shinners (26) after fellow opener Jason Kyte was run-out early.

Shinners then made a crucial partnership with Noman Javed (62) to put the hosts on a steady path, before a wobble halfway through the innings.

Tilakarathne then put in a great knock of 39 and looked in shape to push Merstham over the line before hooking and being caught, whacking his pads in frustration as he started his walk towards the crease. The hosts needed 30 with eight overs left and 27 off the last six and Imran Kakar’s 26 - including a six to level the scores - put Merstham on the verge of victory.

It fell to skipper Saeed to score from his second shot, driving the ball for four.

The skipper said: “We thought we would get them out for 180-190 but a good partnership at the end got them to 216.

“Putney were saying we should be there or thereabouts at the end of the season and, having been in the division for a couple of years, that was one of the best bowling attacks they had faced in the league.

“I think we’ve got good variety. We’ve got pacey bowlers, people who can keep it tight and spinners.

“With the second and third teams also winning early and coming back to the ground there was also a really good atmosphere. The cricket we play is very attacking and entertaining - we get after the ball.”

Merstham remain top, with Frimley, the only other unbeaten team, lying second.

The second team won at Merrow, the thirds won at The Ring against the club with the longest name outside Wales - Chipstead, Coulsdon and Walcountians - while the fourths lost but did they mention they are top of their league? In fairness, at the time of writing all four of the club’s teams are top of their divisions, but, dear reader, please allow the fourths their moment in the sun - this is nosebleed territory!

The second team, led by club captain Richard Feist, are also top of their division - the Fuller’s 2nd XI Premier - after four wins, having bowled out Merrow on their own turf for 69, Safyan Aslam bagging four wickets.

They are top and unbeaten with Wallington, who are their hosts next Saturday. Mark Chuck also took three. The runs were knocked off within 11 overs.

The third team’s match took place after Bob McGillivray work as groundsman at The Ring at lunchtime, and the Chips were down and out for 83 from 28 overs.

Jon Coleman, new to the club this season, opened the bowling with 5-30 off eight overs. Jonathan Hogg took 2-12.

In reply, skipper Ben Carter scored 15 and fellow opener Asim Ashraf 27 and the hosts lost six wickets, but won in the 27th over with Dan Feist knocking two fours near the end. At the time of writing that left the thirds also top of the 3rd XI East Division, with one result to come in.

The fourth team made another good start at Ashtead, where they were invited to bat at the lovely ground and setting of Box Hill School.

Kashif Noon (38) put on another good knock, the score 36 off six overs with Bharat Sahani (16). Unfortunately there was a bit of a muddle over a quick single and Sahani ended up licking some diving wounds in the pavilion.

The run flow dropped to five and four an over and not enough runs could be slashed from the final nine overs, as the visitors were 118-9 off their 45 overs.

A quick-fire start from Ed England (53) and wicketkeeper Chris Roberts (22) decreased the chances of Merstham gaining anything from the match.

Sahani (1-24) did his best to stem the throw but saw three catches put down, plus youngster James Harrison (2-12 off three overs) invoiced his father David for more pocket money after doing the same off his bowling.

Joe Rees-Davies, having struck eight runs and looked comfortable batting, bowled well (0-21) but with an Ashtead victory looking inevitable at 114-3 the call rang out “we want the information manager to bowl”.

Captain Tony Rickards duly handed the ball to Ian Lamont, whose first ball pea shooted past off stump, proving that it doesn’t just happen at The Ring.

Five balls later, Lamont had stunned everybody - including in particular himself - by having two batsmen caught in the slips (Noon and Rickards), to return a double wicket maiden. Peter Sudell, the home captain, struck a six in the next over to win.

The two wickets were enough to earn Merstham a bonus point and keep them top of their division.