Monday 2 April 2012

Linley fifer edges Surrey over the line


Surrey have beaten Leeds- Bradford MCCU by 2 runs, after declaring overnight, and setting the visitors 315 to win, with Tim Linley claiming 5 wickets.

After his 91 in the first innings, Chris Adams obviously thought Tom Maynard had had enough time in the middle, when he declared this morning on 134-5, leaving Leeds-Bradford with a stiff target of 315 for victory. Tim Linley and Chris Jordan once again opened the bowling for Surrey, and were faced with a resolute opening partnership between Slater and Webb. However, Tom Jewell was brought into the attack and made an immediate impact, getting Slater caught behind with the score on 33. Jewell looking impressive again. Jordan then removed the other opener, Webb, caught by Linley. However, Leeds-Bradford MCCU managed to get themselves to lunch pretty comfortably just 2 down, with Bush and Leach playing well for the visitors. 115-2, with just 200 more to win.

Freddie van den Bergh made the breakthrough soon after the break, though, as he trapped the impressive Bush LBW for his first wicket of the match. Tim Linley, brought back into the attack, then removed Leach with the score on 146, Maynard taking the catch, and Surrey scenting victory. Reece looked good until, on 28, Linley had his second, when Burns took a catch, and Leeds-Bradford were 5 down for 184. The oppositions skipper Richard Moore joined Hodgson at the crease, and took their side to the tea interval on 201-5, requiring a further 114 for victory.

Surrey would have been hopeful of removing one of the batsman, and exposing the tail, early after the break. However, that didn’t happen. Moore and Hodgson both looked comfortable in the middle, finding the boundary with relative ease against some wayward bowling from the Surrey attack. Both exceeded in confidence, each striking maximums to take their side closer to victory. Surrey were struggling to find the breakthrough, until Tom Jewell came up with the goods, when he removed Moore for 37, taking the catch off his own bowling. Linley then had his second in the very next over, when he trapped Roebuck in front first ball. 269-7, and a tight finish on the cards.

The viscount then followed that up with another wicket in his next over, when Hardman was caught by Jewell for 5. 36 more to win, with 2 wickets left, and with Hodgson still in, both sides in sight of the victory line.

Chris Jordan then replaced Tom Jewell, and had instant success, when the dangerous Hodgson looked to pull the Barbadian, but could only find the viscount on the midwicket boundary. However, Higginbotham and Thomas got together and frustrated the Surrey attack, taking their side to within 3 of victory, with a last wicket stand of 27, before the viscount Linley claimed his 4th First Class fifer, as he trapped Thomas in front.

Hats off to Leeds-Bradford, Adams and RHB dangled a carrot at them this morning and they really had a go at it. Even though Surrey came out on top, it was agonisingly close for the visitors. To be honest, it was too close for comfort for Surrey, who are obviously the far superior team, but the young men from Yorkshire showed that if you are slightly off your game, you can be punished.

The Viscount has found form just at the right time, and surely has cemented his place in the side come Thursday. However, we are still none the wiser with the opening batsman slot, with Jason Roy appearing the favourite, but Adams seems to like Jordan batting there, and he would obviously give an extra bowling option. Decisions, decisions, decisions. Not long to wait though, as the first squad of the season is due to be announced on Wednesday. I can’t wait!

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