Result: Newdigate CC 2nd XI won by 4 wickets

Newdigate’s Development side continued their good start to the season, producing an impressive chasing performance to secure a four-wicket victory over Horley CC Sunday 2nd XI in an entertaining and high scoring friendly.

After losing the toss and being asked to field, Newdigate faced a strong Horley batting display. Opening batter Ashley Low led the way with a fluent 74 off 63 balls, striking 13 fours and 2 sixes, anchoring the innings superbly. He was well supported by Anton Osborne (37) and James Simner (26) as Horley built steady partnerships throughout.

Despite Horley’s solid platform, Newdigate kept chipping away with wickets at key moments. Ethan Letts (2-13) and Danny Harrington (1-9) were particularly economical, applying pressure in the middle overs, while Ollie Newton, Tristan Newton, Kazuya Foster, and Chriscent Halvitigala Don all contributed with a wicket apiece. Horley eventually closed on 197-7 from their 35 overs, a competitive total but perhaps slightly under par given their strong start.

In reply, Newdigate’s chase got off to a brisk but slightly shaky start. Tristan Newton set the tone with an aggressive 33 off just 18 balls, including 6 fours and a six, before early wickets saw the score slip to 38-2.

The innings was then steadied and rebuilt brilliantly by Austin Hunter, who played a match-defining knock of 55 from 48 balls, finding the boundary regularly with 12 fours. He was well supported by Jack Bowley, who retired not out on a composed 50 off 43 deliveries, anchoring the chase through the middle overs.

Their partnership turned the game decisively in Newdigate’s favour, lifting the hosts from a precarious position to within touching distance of victory. Despite a couple of late wickets falling to Jack Jee (2 wickets), Newdigate maintained control.

Lower-order contributions from Leo Turner (4)* and Jnr Chriscent Halvitigala Don (2)* ensured there were no further hiccups, as Newdigate reached 198-6 in just 23.4 overs, completing the chase with more than 11 overs to spare.

This was an excellent team performance, but the individual contribution from Austin is something that cannot be overlooked. On the 10th June 2024, Austin retired with his 3rd consecutive 33*, in an Under 12s game against Oxted and Limpsfield. Less that two years on, having spent 6 months of those two years in hospital, and the last 12 months learning to walk on prosthetics as a double amputee, he produced a chanceless performance to bring up his maiden 50 for the club and his highest score to date with the bat. He is a testament to what resilience looks like in the face of adversity, and I have no doubt he will continue to prove that anything is possible, with the right mindset.

My thanks to Nick Waddington and the Horley team for playing the game in such good spirit; we look forward to a return fixture at some point later in the season.