Merstham inch closer to top with nail-biting win

Captain Naveed Saeed has Merrow firmly in his sights after closing the gap to the leaders in the Fuller’s Brewery Surrey County Premier DIvision.

A nail-biting victory at Godalming was the only one of four Merstham Saturday team matches to survive the weather.

It took a determined eighth-wicket partnership of 70 between skipper Saeed and Ed Dawson to rescue the situation, after Merstham were reduced to 114-7 chasing Godalming’s 192-7 from their 50 overs.

“I just want us to catch Merrow and finish top,” said Saeed, who has led Merstham to two successive titles and whose side are 22 points behind Merrow, who could only draw.

Godalming were asked to bat and the start was delayed for a 10-minute shower. James Clarke (71) and Gary Sewell (17) put on 48 for the first wicket before the latter was trapped leg-before by Suliman Younis, who then swiftly accounted for Nick Clarke.

On a face paced track, Younis took 4-47 from his 13 overs while Asif Ali took his first wicket for the first team, having Olly Rodriguez caught by Younis for 15. After 10 tight overs, Ali returned figures of 1-27 with two maidens.

Arsalan Abass and Imran Khan took the other wickets.

In reply,  Joe Shinners (22) and Arsalan Abass (17) made 38 for the first wicket, before the top three all fell to Thomas Hallam (4-62 off 16) leaving the visitors 51-3. Assad Naeem (22) and Noman Javed (34) put on a quick 57 for the fourth wicket before Naeem was bowled, prompting another mini collapse that left Dawson and Saeed at the crease.

“Godalming thought they were going to win at that point with seven wickets down,” said Saeed, “but I can bat and Ed Dawson can bat and we plugged away for 20 overs.”

Dawson had worked his way to 54 by the end, including two fours in one over which changed the complexion of the result, before Younis came in with nine runs needed.

“He struck two twos and then struck one of the biggest sixes I’ve seen to win the game with the last but one ball,” said Saeed, whose team host third-placed Lingfield (who are 18 points behind) on Saturday.

The seond, third and fourth team matches were all abandoned because of rain.

Pictures by Harry David