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Match Reports Dulwich 3rd XI v Guildford 3rd XI (home)
19 July 2003 A third losing draw in four games was enough to keep Dulwich in second place, but the side will need to improve on recent form if it is to maintain its promotion challenge. Guildford won the toss and chose to bat. But when Ian Marshall took a wicket in the first over, and the pitch started off playing very unevenly, they must have wondered if it had been the right thing to do. However, the score reached 48 before the second wicket fell, and the game moved into its crucial phase soon after as two catches were dropped before the partnership of Jones and Templeman had really got going. They were not to give another chance until the score had topped 150, and it was only on 188 that the third wicket fell. They had batted well, hitting the ball hard, but some of Dulwich's bowling was more than friendly, and on a fast outfield the home side began to look ordinary. Towards the end, as Guildford headed towards a declaration, Marshall and David Woods picked up a few wickets, with Marshall taking four in another long stint. But 245 for 8 was a very challenging score, even if the Guildford captain had to withdraw through injury, leaving them a man short in the field. Like Guildford, Dulwich lost an early wicket, and recovered through Tony Cable and Stewart Harmer. Then came disaster, as Cable pushed for a suicidal quick single, was sent back, and run out: 51 for 2. Harmer began to play a true captain's innings, as wickets fell steadily at the other end. Woods was out to a shocking LBW decision, and it was 112 for 5, and when Ally Sykes fell soon after, it was a question of batting for a draw. Harmer reached his fifty in 96 balls (10 fours) and carried on serenely in the company of young Thomas Howe, playing his first game of the season for the side. Thoughts of a century were forming when Harmer was out for 77: 152 for 7. Howe continued to bat very sensibly, but fell at the beginning of the last over to give Marshall the task of holding out for five balls, four of which he was able to leave, as Dulwich finished on 171 for 9. Next week Dulwich host sixth-placed Worcester Park. They are now just five points clear of Woking and Horsell, and 17 behind league leaders Old Wimbledonians.
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