Rain intervened during lunch as no further play was possible, as the Middlesex survival party continued in the pavilion and Beehive pub.

Day 2:

With 341 needed for the third wicket to maintain Surrey’s Division status their fate was sealed at 12:15. Preceding this, there seemed to be a clear a clear run out refused, a strong caught behind turned down, followed by Ben Scott and Hutton dropping sitters.

Yogesh Golwalkar's spin beat Scott Newman again, hit him on the pads, the decision after appeal took ages. Ian Gould put his arm behind his back, then lifted his hand and pointed his finger high in the air and Scott Newman was adjudged out LBW. This meant Surrey could score no more bonus points than Middx and were relegated. The Middlesex party began.

Day 1:

Surrey stand on the brink of relegation after being outplayed by Middlesex on the opening day of their match at the Oval.

A quick fire start by Ed Smith gave Middx early initiative.  36 runs from 38 balls until he was out caught by Salisbury at gully chasing a wide one. At the time Hutton was on 2. Scoring rate was above 6 an over and gave good idea of Middx intent.

Hutton and Shah dug in. and put 132 for 2^nd wicket. They survived 3 dropped catches at slip, including a shocker by Mark Butcher. At 172-1, Hutton was stumped off Sacqui at 79 dancing down the wicket with a rush of blood. Soon after Shah was caught by Scott Newman at silly point.  Dalrymple was caught at slip playing no shot and a mini collapse occurred as Middx were 200-4. 

Then Joyce and Styris stuck the boot in with a chanceless stand of 174 for the fifth wicket. Joyce made 90 with a century in sight he swept Saqlain to deep midwicket where Ali Brown took a simple catch. That left Middlesex 374 for five and with 26 runs to score to gain their fifth batting point.

Crucial moment followed.  Weekes was “bowled”  off a Saqli no-ball at 393 depriving Surrey any more bowling points. After that Styris made 100 not out and  Middx declared at 404-5.

Surrey's reply got off to the worse possible start when Mark Butcher on five was run out by Rymps throw from backward point in the third over.  7 for 1. Then Rikki Clarke played all round a straight one from Styris for 22.  40 for 2. Ramprakash and Scott Newman batted out the day. To leave Surrey at 59-2

Surrey need to put on a further 341 for the third wicket and then win the game to retaining their division 1 status. 

Please click here for ths scorecard for this match

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