Saturday 2nd XI v Grayshott 3rd XI (Home) 01-09-2012

Result: Blackheath winning draw

Blackheath - B Lowe 123*, B Hodges 3-60, E Allen 3-64

Grayshott 3rd XI - P Marden 58, L Conway 54, A Lang 5-53

At the start of the afternoon, Blackheath required a winning draw to secure back-to-back promotions against a Grayshott side well-placed to capitalise if the home side slipped up.

Blackheath won the toss and elected to bowl first. Having lost an early wicket, the visitors got away to a flier putting pressure on the bowling attack and the fielders alike. Ennis made a breakthrough dismissing the clean-striking Eeles on 27 but P Marden and Wrenn formed a useful partnership before being bowled on 58 and 34 respectively. L Conway, at number 5, also scored a useful 54. Halfway through the Grayshott innings, they were set for a total in excess of 250. However, tight bowling from Hodges (14 overs, 3 for 60) and Allen (17 overs, 3 for 64) put a check on scoring-rate, although a significant number of catches were put down. Grayshott ended on a healthy 217 for 8 off a full compliment of 48 overs.

The second innings saw a titanic battle between two elder statesmen of their respective clubs. For Grayshott, Lang bowled with accuracy and guile dismissing batsmen 3 through to 7 of the home side. He ended with figures of 15 overs, 5 for 53. However, these figures do not reflect Lang's performance as catch after catch was put down in the outfield. At the other side of this dual was a masterful Lowe who scored a peerless 123 not out including 19 fours. In his last three innings for the 2nd XI, Lowe has been out once and scored 244 runs.

The battle ended with a thrilling finale and The Heath desperately tried to overhaul the Grayshott total needing 20 runs off the last two overs with Lowe and Parrott at the crease. A misfield from Grayshott saw the home side requiring 4 runs off the last delivery. With the Grayshott fielders spread, Lowe connected and the ball raced away to the square leg boundary only to be stopped just inside the rope leaving Blackheath 3 short of victory.

A terrific match and marvellous performance by Blackheath to be promoted once again. Unfortunately, Tilford took all 10 points in their match against Puttenham so Blackheath's chances of going up champions seem slim.