Dorking 3rd XI travelled to Chessington with several players missing but hopeful of getting another win to maintain their place at the top of the league.

Tommy Chisman lost another toss (he appears to struggle to call as well as toss!) and Dorking were put in. Tommy opened with Peter Horton, the latter looking to follow up his majestic century the week before. Noisey got off the mark with a 5 (generous overthrows) and the opening partnership thrived from that point on. Dorking got to 65 without loss after 15 overs. But when Tommy was caught at slip for 22, Noisey followed soon after for 41 and wickets began to fall quickly. Dorking were the authors of their own misfortune with some poor shots to lob catches to the infield, one embarrassing self-inflicted LBW umpiring decision, and a run out. But Dorking managed to scrape together a total they might be able to defend. Jack Homewood’s 20 was crucial but Dorking were all out for 133 inside 43 overs.

Chessington’s opening batsmen started with intent. But Dorking made the vital breakthrough with another worldie catch from Dale Godfrey, one handed grab at gully off Myers in the 7th over. Dale then chipped in with 2 crucial wickets, one caught and bowled, the other bowled. The Homewood twins were then brought into the attack and bowled beautifully in tandem. Jack got turn; Cam extracted steepling and inconsistent bounce. They bowled tightly to squeeze Chessington and picked up 2 wickets a piece, including Cam bowling their dangerous opener (who Dorking had dropped twice) and Dom Kenway taking a good catch at slip off Jack. Chessington were 63 for 7 off 25 overs and 134 to win was looking a stretch...

Unfortunately for Dorking, their 8th wicket partnership had other ideas. Their number 8 and 9 batted for 15 overs and took the score past 100 to make Chessington favourites. It took Tommy “Golden Arm” Chisman bringing himself into the attack to make the match-winning breakthrough, bowling their number 8. Dale then finished things off beautifully with two further wickets, both tidyly caught behind by Aaron Buller. Dale finished with 4 for 25 off 10.2 overs and Dorking ended up winning a thriller by 19 runs. It could have been more comfortable but for several drops but it was the type of hard-fought and well-deserved victory that could win titles...