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Young Second XI Enjoy Great Win At The Oval

11 April 2013

A Gloucestershire team packed with young talent enjoyed a superb five-wicket victory over a far more experienced Surrey team in the opening Second XI Championship match at the Kia Oval.

A century from trialist batsman Tom Lancefield, released by Surrey at the end of last season, helped the visitors reach a victory target of 225 at the end of the three-day game.

It was a notable success against a Surrey side featuring England bowlers Chris Tremlett, Jade Dernbach and Stuart Meaker, as well as former Gloucestershire stalwart Jon Lewis and Vikram Solanki.

The hosts posted 305-8 in their first innings, Gary Wilson making a hunded and Lewis contributing a rapid half-century.

In reply Gloucestershire were all out for 194, Ed Young top-scoring with 43, while Ian Cockbain hit 41 and Richard Coughtrie 32.

Surrey's second innings saw Solanki hit 43 before declaring on 113-5. Gloucestershire were given a solid start by Lancefield and Gareth Roderick, who contributed 27 to an opening stand of 61.

Cockbain was run out for 25 and when Coughtrie was lbw to Gary Keedy for 12 the visitors were 123-3, still 102 runs short of their target.

Young went for a duck, but Under-16 player Patrick Grieshaber helped Lancefield add useful runs and when he was dismissed 16-year-old Tom Smith defied the Surrey attack to make 47 not out.

He hit the winning runs after 22-year-old left-hander Lancefield had reached a brilliant century against his former club and Gloucestershire could reflect on a team performance rich in promise.

Academy Director Owen Dawkins told this website: "It was a tremendous effort to overcome such a powerful Surrey side and to see our youngsters do so well provided great satisfaction.

"All the bowlers chipped in with Craig Miles and Graeme McCarter doing well and Academy pace bowler Mark Lezar taking two wickets in the first innings.

"Tom Lancefield's innings was real quality. Other clubs are showing interest in him, but we hope to see him in action for us again.

"The average age of our team was under 21, which says everything about how good a win it was."

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