Dorking Fight to the End to Secure Draw..

Blood and Ward Remain Solid in Defence

Dorking CC 1XI Match Report
Saturday 24th June
Away to Old Rutlishians CC 1XI
Dorking travelled to the return fixture in high spirts knowing they had already taken points off Old Ruts. With clouds in the sky and chance of rain around Dorking won the toss and elected to bowl.
A Miller and Young Travis Blood were called upon with the ball. Matt Vandepeer was keen to get Ruts off to a positive start and did so with some early boundaries until Travis Blood Struck early finding the edge of Dan Wood for 1. With Vandepeer still playing positively chances came but unfortunately Dorking couldn’t take advantage. Miller into his spell took the next wicket when Mohammed spooned one up straight to C Ward at midwicket. Score now 69-2 and in the balance.
Millers next over was a moment of brilliance when he removed Trimmings and Fraser both for Ducks. Giving Dorking the driver’s seat with Ruts struggling 73-4. Bowling changes were made and Kelsey provided a tight spell which kept Vandepeer quiet. Miller bowled straight through ended a tidy spell of 3-54 off 14 overs. Vandepeer seem to frustrate Dorking with unorthodox shots and he built an important partnership with Brennan to take the score 156. Which in this time Vandepeer passed his 50.
J Swift was trusted to provide the much-needed break through as the game was slipping back into Ruts’s hands. Swift mixed up his flight which seem to land Vandepeer (81) in trouble when he hit one straight into Kenway’s hands on the Boundary. 156-5 soon became 156-7 when Swift slipped in his quicker ball and found Collett’s edge and Charlie Edwards bowled Brennan (39) with a splendid delivery. Ruts now in trouble and needing to use the full available overs, hoping their tail could wag.
Chris Mude (26) showed great fight as his enabled Ruts to post a score on board which would leave the game in the balance. Freeman (15) also provided boundaries before he slapped one straight to C Ward at mid-on for C Edwards to pick up his second. Ruts ended their innings all out for 203 taken 54.3 overs which only left Dorking 45 overs to Chase. C Edwards ended figures of 3-15 off 7.3 and Swift 2-51 off his 14.
A thank you must go to the tea ladies at Old Rutlishians as they provided a scrumptious tea which all enjoyed.
Tom Collett had the first over at Dorking’s pair Douthwaite and Chave. It was clear that Collett was fired up, bowling with decent pace and good bounce. Collett’s Spell put a huge sting in the chances of Dorking chasing the target. He Removed Douthwaite and Chave and then a nightmare run out saw poor H Cameron have to go after looking positive. Dorking were struggling at 38-3 and needed to fight back. Swift was straight into his stride counter attacking the bowlers with lovely strokes on a fast outfield. S Kelsey was keen to see off Collett’s overs while enjoying Swift’s positive strides. With the pair building a partnership S kelsey started to look more positive until he was caught by a brilliant catch at slip diving one handed by Collett. Ruts were on a high and looking to put the game to bed when Dorking lost C Kenway and A Miller for not many. Swift still showing his class and racing to 44 before playing a risky shot which gave Jones the key wicket. Dorking struggling at 107-7 saw skipper Toby Blood and C Ward at the crease. Ruts needing 3 wickets in 16 overs they were massive favourites. Toby Blood had an opportunity to fight back and lead from the front. Dorking’s skipper made it clear that this was now a time to survive and make sure we fight till the end and stop Ruts claiming the full 24 points they were hunting for. Collett brought himself back on as he had saved himself overs for this moment. Toby Blood and Ward knew the job was very tough task to achieve so took each over as it came. Like a scene from the Cardiff ashes test in 2009 the fist pumps were regular after each over of survival and Ruts feeling increasingly nervous as Blood and Ward looking solid in defence. Fired up Collett was content in bowling at their ribs instead of stumps which provided useful for Dorking’s pair. Toby Blood ended 27 unbeaten off 63 balls and Chris Ward 10 not out off 40 balls. Every point being vital in the league these were important points for Dorking and showed huge character. Dorking will take confidence going into their local derby game Saturday which has set up important for both sides. Dorking will host Epsom at Pixham lane..