Captain Willis fires Chessington to second promotion in two seasons (From Surrey Comet)

Captain Willis fires Chessington to second promotion in two seasons

12:11pm Monday 3rd September 2007 in Sport By Andy White

Wallington 235 (53.4 overs) Chessington 239-5 (46.2 overs)

Chessington secured their second successive Surrey Championship promotion with a five-wicket victory that also condemned their visitors Wallington to relegation.

The hosts put Wallington in and had them in trouble at 56-3, but Rehman Qadir (109) and Kasim Siddiqui fought back, putting on 103 for the fourth wicket.

Andy Robson cleaned up the tail to finish with 6-58 as Wallington were dismissed for 235.

It seemed a tough total against the leg spin of Qadir, and appeared even more unlikely at 65-1 halfway through their 47 overs.

But a battling 64 from Chris Norton, with support from Mark Walter (47) laid the foundation and, with 90 needed from the final 10 overs, captain Paul Willis played the innings of his life to lead his team to promotion with four balls remaining.

He hit four sixes in a 34-ball 63 not out, although it was his vice-skipper Graham Francis who hit the winning boundary to start the celebrations.

Chessington finish their league season with a home derby clash with Kingstonian.