Chessington 116 (41.4) Dulwich 117-3 (30.1)

Dulwich cruised to a convincing seven-wicket victory in their Shepherd Neame Surrey Championship Division Two match at home to Chessington on Saturday.

Put in to bat, Chessington started confidently, reaching 27 without loss from the first eight overs. The innings was then derailed by James Bridgland, who removed both openers in successive overs and followed up with two more wickets in his next over.

He finished his spell with 4-23 off nine overs. Debutant Zakir Rostami then struck with a wicket in his first over and a second in his third, while leg spinner Arun Mahey also took two wickets to reduce Chessington to 79-8 after 33 overs.

Nick Bailey led a counterattack, top scoring with 29 off 65 balls, but Rostami struck back with two more wickets to dismiss Chessington for 116 after 41.4 overs.

Rostami finished with 4-24 off 12.4 overs and also held two catches, while Arun Mahey had 2-36 off 12 overs.

Arun’s brother, skipper Anil Mahey, opened the batting with Ed Matten and together they added 44 for the first wicket before both fell in quick succession, Mahey for 27 off 42 balls (with six fours) and Matten 13 off 34.

Marshall Hood then led Dulwich home, adding 36 for the third wicket with Nick Storey (14) and 35 for the undefeated fourth wicket with Richard Farrow (8).

Hood reached his half-century with the winning hit, from just 53 balls.

This was his fourth score of 50 or more in successive innings and takes his aggregate to 675 at an average of 75.

After failing to win any of their first seven games, Dulwich have now won three of the past four and will be hoping to continue their good form next week, away to Leatherhead and Cobham.

July 10: Esher 221 (51.4) Dulwich 225-3 (44)

A fine all-round performance saw Dulwich to a convincing seven-wicket victory in their Shepherd Neame Surrey Championship Division Two match at Esher.

Dulwich put their opponents in and struck immediately, with Chris Lester and Arshad Iftikhar each taking a wicket in their first over.

Alex Szepietowski led a recovery, until being fourth out for 64 in the 28th over.

Despite a strong rally by Jonathan Gunnarskara, with 48 off 49 balls, and Nick Woodroffe, 29 off 32, Dulwich continued to work their way through the batting, reducing Esher to 180-9 in the 45th over.

A spirited last wicket stand of 41 in 7 overs by Henry Witten (25) and Grant Meadows (13 not out) took Esher to 221 all out after 51.4 overs.

Leg spinner Arun Mahey was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-56 off 12.4 overs.

Lester took 2-53 off 14 overs, while Iftikhar, Jamie Pettigrew and James Soulsby bagged a wicket each. Dulwich were left with 48 overs to get the runs.

Ed Matten, promoted to opening the batting, led the Dulwich reply scoring 29 off the first 42 runs before losing his partner Anil Mahey for nine.

Matten then played second fiddle to the in-form Marshall Hood, adding 113 for the 2nd wicket before Matten fell for 57 with the score on 155 in the 33rd over.

Hood was third out for 94, made off 93 balls, with the score on 191 in the 39th over.

This was the Australian’s third consecutive score of 70 or more, and takes his aggregate for the season to 625, at an average of 69.

Tom Howe, with 35, and Richard Farrow, with 12, then saw their side home with four overs to spare.