Normandy bowlers feel the heat as Curran blasts ton
AFTER Normandy had enjoyed a magnificent win over them earlier in the Surrey Championship Premier Division season, Weybridge gained emphatic revenge on Saturday in the return fixture by hammering the visiting Normans by eight-wickets, Ben Curran leading the way with a splendid hundred.
In the searing heat Normandy made a poor start, overseas import Joel Foster departing for 14 and Chris Jones following for just four.
The dangerous Olly Batchelor battled hard for 15 and when the reliable Liam Mckendry fell for 22 it was 88-4 and the deep trouble was made worse when Max Stevenson ran himself out from his first ball.
The rescue mission was led by the impressive Sam Wellfare, a revelation following his promotion from the second team, who made a composed 48, finding support first from Sam Holland (24) and then George Barlow (26) and captain Vignesh Venkateswaran, who made 29.
Such was the recovery that a final total of 233 was considered a total the bowlers at least had a chance to defend.
However, Weybridge were in no mood to mess about as Curran quickly took the attack to the Normandy bowlers, ably supported by Haydir Ali who made 70 out of an opening stand of 155.
Normandy’s seamers took the brunt of the onslaught as George Barlow went for 36 from his five overs and Prahlad Odedra, 34 from just three overs.
The partnership was eventually broken when Venkateswaran held on to a chance from his own bowling to dismiss Ali, the left arm spinner being by far the pick of the Normandy bowlers and finishing with 1-34 from his 10 overs.
Though Max Stevenson managed to dismiss Curran before the end for a fine 103, Nathan Tilley (29no) and Stuart van der Merwe, who scored nine from just three balls, ensured the home side had the game sewn up with 12 overs to spare.
Normandy are now in sixth, but with their Premier Division status secured they have a run-in against sides in the lower half of the league and will be looking to improve on their final standing in the decisive last three weeks.