Weatherley Century Can't Prevent Seconds Defeat to Surrey

Summary:
Surrey Second XI beat Hampshire Second XI by 323 runs.

Surrey:
Z Ansari, DP Sibley, GC Wilson, A Kapil, J Burke, B Erasmus, O Pope, MP Dunn, M Pilans, C Jones, W Pereira

Hampshire:
J Weatherley, F Organ, A West, LCD McManus, R Stevenson, BJ Taylor, A Gorvin, B Mead, J Goodwin, J McCoy, B Wheal, R Jerry

Hampshire came unstuck against a strong Surrey side, who accumulated 772 runs over two imposing innings, with the likes of formidable all-rounder Zafar Ansari amidst their ranks.  

Josh McCoy and Brad Wheal made a strong start with the ball, dismissing Surrey’s opening pair of Aneesh Kapil (32) and Dom Sibley (37) respectively, but early success was shortlived.     

Surrey hit 400-4 before declaring, Bradley Erasmus (136) and Gary Wilson (96) boosting their impressive first innings score and making a real statement of intent.

Surrey continued to dominate proceedings as bowler Matthew Dunn troubled the Hampshire batting order, taking the early wickets of Joe Weatherley (6) and Felix Organ (0) and finishing with fine figures of 6-34.

Hampshire Academy player Jake Goodwin reached 29, but also fell to Dunn, leaving Hampshire all out for 87.  

Despite an early break through when Joe Weatherley caught Surrey batsman Sibley from Josh McCoy, the home side compiled another impressive innings total, 382-7.

James Burke was the standout performer, hitting an unbeaten century from 118 balls, and Wilson scored 90 once more.

Hampshire began the mammoth task of chasing the 695 target promisingly, as openers Weatherley (104) and Organ (72) quickly made progress with the bat, putting on 155 for the first wicket.

However, Amar Virdi spoilt the comeback by taking Weatherley’s wicket, and Aaron West on 34, before compounding the blows by dismissing Brad Taylor for a duck.

Ryan Stephenson was three shy of his hundred when Hampshire’s innings was brought to an end, having resisted the Surrey offence with fine resolve as Hampshire wickets fell prematurely around him.    

Words: Sam Fletcher