Lions win title

By Ben Horne
September 14 2003

Surrey clinched the National league division one title with an 8 run victory over Glamorgan at Sophia Gardens. In other news Surrey have announced that Alec Stewart and Ian Ward will be leaving the club.

The day stated off with the news that Alec Stewart will not be offered a new contract at the club. Ian Ward also announced that he will be leaving Surrey as he wants a new challenge and he wishes to gain an England recall. Ward was also left out of the Surrey team for the match against Glamorgan. Both of these departures will leave many Surrey fans shocked.

As for the match, Surrey won the toss and decided to bat. But they were soon in trouble at 61 for 4 as Newman, Brown, Thorpe and Clarke were all dismissed. Mark Ramprakash and Adam Hollioake then came together and they rescued the lions. Ramprakash scored another National league half century with 53 while Hollioake made a very useful 51. John Batty (18) and Ian Salisbury (19) made useful scores to push the lions total to 198 for 9. From 61 for 4 Surrey had made a 198 for 9 from their 45 overs but was this to be enough to win the match?

Surrey then reduced Glamorgan to 51 for 3 with Bicknell and Rose both claming a wicket. Powell and Hemp then put on 49 when Hemp fell caught behind off Murtagh. Michael Powell hit a useful score of 40 but two wickets fell in quick succession to leave the dragons 114 for 6. With the score on 130 for 6 Glamorgan looked in a good position but again Surrey took two quick wickets and looked to have won the match and tile with Glamoragn struggling at 131 for 8. Kasprowicz and Harrision both hit useful scores and at 184 for 8 the dragons required only 15 to win but when on 20 Murtagh bowled Kasprowicz. Six runs later and the game was all over. Clarke uprooted the middle stump of Cosker. Surrey had won the match and the National league title. This was Surrey second trophy of the season after they won the tewnty20 cup. But Surrey are unable to win the county championship with Sussex and Lancahsire battling it out.

Surrey innings:

Newman lbw b Kasprowicz 10
Brown b Harrison 12
Ramprakash c Wharf b Dale 53
Thorpe c Maher b Kasprowick 9
Clarke b Wharf 41
Hollioake b Clarke 51
Batty c Maher b Dale 18
Salisbury c Maher b Dale 19
Bicknell not out 12
Rose c Wharf b Dale 1
Murtagh not out 0

Extras 9

Total (for 9 wickets, 45 overs) 198

Glamorgan innings

Maher c Batty b Bicknell 21
I Thomas c Batty b Rose 18
Wharf run out 0
Powell b Murtagh 49
Hemp c Batty b Murtagh 21
Dale c Thopre b Hollioake 12
Wallace c Batty b Clarke 1
Croft c Bicknell b Hollioke 20
Kasprowicz b Murtagh 20
Harrision b Clarke 14
Cosker not out 2

Extras 21

Total (all out, 43.4 overs) 190