6:10pm Wednesday 28th July 2010
By Stuart Amos
Former Weybridge skipper David Court reckons Hampton School student Zafar Ansari and his fellow spinners can play a key role in securing the club’s Surrey Championship Premier Division survival.
The 18-year-old claimed 3-40 and then hit a match-winning 87 not out as Court’s men crushed fellow strugglers Malden Wanderers by eight wickets on Saturday.
Ansari, who is also contracted to Surrey, put on 103 for the first wicket with Seren Waters (73) before being supported by Sam Whiteman (65) as Weybridge got past their hosts’ total with nine balls to spare.
Phil Mann (4-74) had earlier helped the youngster dismiss Malden for 251 and Court, who recently handed the captaincy to former England Test player Jimmy Ormond recently, believes the pair are vital.
“The dry wickets will really help our spinners and we have got one or two good ones,” he said.
“With the youngsters coming back we are only going to get better.
“Zafar had a good day and his knock was very important as it was a game we had to win.
“He and the other young guys are going to be key providing they can keep their form together, which is sometimes difficult when you are young.
“If we continue to play the way we have over the last few weeks I think we’ll be safe well in advance of the last day.”
Elsewhere, mid-table Sutton had a rearguard action of mammoth proportions to thank for their 24-run triumph at high-flying Ashtead.
James Woodroof (59) helped the last three wickets put on 124-runs as Sutton recovered from 97 for seven to finish 221 all out, before Greg Betz claimed eight for 68 to dismiss the hosts.
Opening batsman Graham Grace’s 64 couldn’t save Wimbledon from a nine wicket defeat in their top of the table clash at Reigate Priory.
Grace’s efforts helped his side to a meagre 165 all out, before Priory’s Alex Richards smashed 85 from 82 balls as the hosts cruised to victory inside 30 overs.
Cobham Avorians are one place and eight points above the drop zone after a dispiriting defeat at second place Sunbury.
Chad Harper (97) and Ben Chapman (89) had helped their side post an imposing 286, despite a hat-trick from Sunbury opening bowler Kevin Smith (6-41).
Middlesex men Stuart Poynter (94) and 21-year-old Adam London (71) then saw their side home with nine balls to spare for the loss of just six wickets.
Fixtures: Banstead v Sutton, Malden Wanderers v Ashtead, Sunbury v Weybridge, Wimbledon v Cobham Avorians .
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