Roy and Murtagh sink Second XI in Reigate

27 April 2009

After the frustration of Surrey 2nd XI’s total washout in their first scheduled friendly against Suffolk at Normandy, the annual match against the winners of the Surrey Championship League was equally disappointing.

Captain Stewart Walters lost the toss and an inexperienced Surrey side found themselves inserted in this 50 over match versus Reigate Priory, whose team included two Surrey batsmen – Chris Murtagh and Jason Roy - who both play their club cricket at Reigate.

The home side’s opening attack of Aaron Pope and Ian Hewett proved niggardly and scoring was difficult on a damp green pitch. Dan Newton fell early, caught behind, and Walters and Seren Waters struggled to take the score to 16 when the Captain was adjudged LBW.

Waters followed him to the pavilion five balls later and Surrey, after 12 overs, were 16-3. Some recovery was brought about by the efforts of three young players, Pemberton Greenish Academy member Tom Lancefield (33), Chris Thompson (41) and wicket keeper Rory Burns (22) and the score advanced to 113-5.

The 41st over saw the start of the batting side take their power play but the five overs produced only 20 runs and four wickets were lost. Surrey were eventually all out for 157 in 45.5 overs with bowlers Pope taking 4-20 and Hewett 2-19.

In contrast, under a blazing sun, the Reigate innings got off to a flying start with two pinch-hitters, Surrey star Jason Roy and Mike Foster. Together they put on 94 for the first wicket when Foster was trapped lbw by Murtaza Hussain for 22.

Roy went on to complete a hard-hitting 69 from 51 balls, with eleven fours and a six which struck the top corner of the scoreboard, before nudging a catch to wicket-keeper Rory Burns with the score on 108-2.

Although Bennett was out cheaply, another LBW victim for the impressive Murtaza Hussain, another Surrey man, Chris Murtagh (29*) and Stuart Mills (18*) saw the home side to victory by seven wickets in the 28th over.

The best of the Surrey bowlers was Murtaza Hussain with figures of 2-35 and sixteen year older seamer George Edwards, playing his first game for the Second XI, took 1-38 in seven overs.

By Jennifer Booth, Second XI Scorer