A relatively strong VCL 1 side travelled to Loxwood on Sunday in search of there first win of the year having lost and drawn the previous 2 games. The day begun poorly for Dorking having lost the toss and been put into bat on an extremely green wicket however, this didn’t seem to faise a new look opening pair in M.Cox and D.Chave who begun to build a steady platform for the innings (partnership of 69) . Both men looked active in scoring with their distinctive styles until Cox (38) was bowled.

This triggered a small collapse in the DCC batting line up as Walker and Edwards both fell in quick succession. Nevertheless Chave fought on to score his maiden DCC 50 hitting the ball with ferocious power before getting out shortly after.

Howlett and A. Homewood then looked to rebuild the innings but this was short lived as a cover drive form Howlett was plucked one handed by the Loxwood fielder.

At score DCC looked to be in trouble and would struggle to find the remaining runs required to get the maximum batting points but A. Homewood (41*) along with C.Homewood (16) and J. Homewood (3*) ensured that DCC got there after 44overs giving Loxwood a target of 179 off 41 overs

With 10 wickets to get DCC got the dream start thanks to J.Shrives who struck fear in the batsmans minds with his pink war paint decorating his face resulting in the opening batsman being dismissed for 0.

Both Shrives and T. O’Brien then begun to toil away at the Loxwood batting order with limited success and at 50 for 1 a break through was needed. Luckily for Dorking this came from J.Homewood who dismantled the Loxwood batting order finishing with 5-39 over his 10 overs.

J. Homewood was backed up by C.Homewood and Walker who managed to keep the other end tight as Dorking continually managed to peg back wickets as soon as a Loxwood batting partnership looked to kick on.

However as Loxwood past the 135 mark Dorking still required 3 wickets which prompt captain Edwards to bring the opening pair back on. This proved to be an instant success as O’Brien marked his return with a wicket first ball dismissing the batsman LBW. O’Brien would then go on to take a second wicket in his 2 over spell to bring Dorking back into the game with Loxwood 153 for 9. With 6 overs to go.

Shrives and C.Homewood then begun to search for the last wicket especially Homewood’s fiery spell but without any luck amongst the stiff Loxwood opposition. This brought the game down to the final over and with 3 bowlers bowled out and C. Homewood completing the over before it was up to Walker to step up and deliver the final 6 deliveries.m with only 7 runs to play with. Walker teased the set Loxwood batsman with 2 dot balls with the first 2 balls of the over. This pressure resulted in the batsman top edging the next ball straight to Edwards behind the stumps to complete a nail biting game for DCC.

A great team performance giving the VCL1 side it’s first win of the year.