DULWICH 199 (37.5) lost to GUILDFORD 346-7 (50) by 147 runs
Dulwich were thoroughly outplayed by Guildford in their AJ Fordham Surrey Championship Division 1 match, and went down to defeat by 147 runs.
Guildford chose to bat in ideal batting conditions, and despite the loss of an early wicket had 74 on the board at the end of the first ten over powerplay. Relaxation of the fielding restrictions, coupled with an excellent spell by leg spinner Ahmed Khan, slowed their progress for a while. Khan claimed the wicket of Angus Lovell for a 69 ball 70, but Freddie Geffen advanced to his century and was eventually dismissed for 123, off 127 balls. The middle order helped him keep the score moving at an ever-increasing rate, and a breezy knock of 24 not out off eight balls by Tom Humphreys helped lift the Guildford score to 346-7 at the end of their 50 overs. Dulwich fought back with three wickets in the last four overs to collect two unexpected bowling points. Khan emerged with the creditable figures of 1-47 off his ten overs, but none of the other four bowlers went for less than seven per over.
In reply Dulwich lost both openers in the first five overs and then continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as the batsmen tried unsuccessfully to chase down their formidable target. The first three wickets fell to paceman Anwar Khan, and the three main spinners picked up four between them. Many of the batsmen got starts, but Veer Patel, who made 44 off 57 balls before being run out, was the only one to pass 20. The score had reached 140-9 when Ahmed Khan was joined by Salaar Waqar. By this time Guildford had called up bowlers five and six, who could not command the same respect as their predecessors, and the last wicket pair made merry, adding 59 off the next 31 balls and gaining two unlikely batting points. Shoaib Bashir was recalled with the score on 199, and it took him just five balls to dismiss Khan and claim his third wicket. Khan had made 35 off 37 balls, while Waqar remained unbeaten with 32 off 17.
Dulwich gained just four points from this defeat and slip back to the bottom of the table, though they are still only 13 points behind Beddington in eighth place. Next week they visit Banstead, who are currently fourth. Dulwich got a losing draw in their first encounter and will be looking to recapture the form of the last few weeks to secure a victory in the return fixture.