Stoke d'Abernon 163-9 Caterham 207-5 (dec)

Caterham's season-long struggle to bowl sides out surfaced again in the Surrey County League Division two on Saturday despite outplaying Stoke d'Abernon.

Cats were sent in on a dry, dusty pitch and soon lost both openers. Vice-captain Richard Rowlett (64) and skipper Andy Johnson (20) settled their teams nerves but a mini-collapse left the visitors 128-5.

But Caterham's batting depth came to the rescue as as youngsters Stuart Reavell (37 not out) and Daniel Pollard (34 not out) put together an unbroken partnership of 79 in 13 overs to allow a declaration at 207-5 off 53 overs.

Aaron Johnstone, Robert March and skipper Johnson picked up early to leave their rivals needing 108 runs off the final 20 overs with six wickets in hand.

Pollard (2-33) kept nagging away with his off breaks before Johnstone (4-35) returned to grab a couple to see the home side eight down with five overs left.

Cats were unable to break the ninth-wicket partnership until a farcical run out off the last ball.

July 17, 2002 12:30