11:04am Wednesday 1st September 2010
Cheam secured their promotion back to the Surrey Championship Premier League with a victory over Purley built on the back of a magnificent 125 not out from skipper Danny Miller.
It was Miller’s third century of the season and took his season’s tally to 777 runs.
Add in 25 wickets and Miller must be considered one of the best all-rounder’s in the county.
Purley captain Keith Medlycott won the toss and surprisingly elected to bat first.
The early loss of Balasubramaniam for two suggested that batting would be difficult but the pitch played well, justifying Medlycott’s decision.
Poor Cheam fielding allowed Fuaad Syed to continue his excellent run of form and, in partnership with Adam Windlay, the pair moved the score on to 66 before Syed, lucky to survive a confident appeal for caught behind, fell LBW to Miller. Windlay continued to attack, frustrating the Cheam bowlers with his unorthodox but effective method.
Miller turned to spin in the form of Mark Burns and Tim Scott and the pair reduced the Purley run rate.
Scott eventually made the breakthrough and then took the prized wicket of Medlycott two balls later as the former Surrey coach picked out the only boundary fielder on the park.
Windlay rode his luck to reach 85 before being caught at long on off the bowling of Lee Harrison with the score on 170 -6. The Purley tail wagged to take the score to 201 from 50 overs, a more than competitive effort.
In reply, Cheam were always in control as Miller and David Houpapa set the foundations with sensible batting against disciplined Purley bowling.
The loss of Houpapa for 19 and Chris Salmons quickly after buoyed the Purley team but Miller stood firm.
Medlycott shuffled his bowlers around with some success, picking up the wicket of Steve Clark and raising the run rate, but with two power plays to take there was no need to panic.
Paul Cohen joined Miller and the pair played superbly to see Cheam home with three overs to spare with Miller completing his hundred from just 120 balls with 12 fours and 3 sixes.
Cheam visit Pyford on Saturday still just one point behind leaders Normandy.
Cheam 2nd XI completed the double over league leaders Purley to narrow the gap to just three points with all to play for in the final fixture.
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