By Ben Horne
September 8 2002

Surrey beat Essex by two runs in a thrilling match at Chelmsford today. Adam Hollioake took 3 wickets, as did Ed Giddins. Surrey only need to draw their final National League match against champions Gloustershire to gain promotion to division one. Surrey beat Essex by two runs in a thrilling match at Chelmsford today. Adam Hollioake took 3 wickets, as did Ed Giddins. Surrey only need to draw their final National League match against champions Gloucestershire to gain promotion to division one.

Essex won the toss and decided to bowl. They soon had Surrey in trouble at 7 for 2. Things did not get much better for Surrey as two more wickets fell for 35 runs. Adam Hollioake then hit 27 but when he fell to Cowan Surrey were 92 for 7. Saqlain Mushtaq then hit 28 to leave Surrey all out for 162.

Martin Bicknell and Ed Giddins then took a wicket each to give the lions a good start. 29 from Will Jefferson, 41 from Ronnie Irani (Mr. Whippy) and 29 from Paul Grayson left Essex 137 for 4. Essex then collapsed, loosing 6 wickets for 23 runs. Adam Hollioake took 3 wickets, as did Ed Giddins to give the lions victory by two runs. This was an astonishing match which could cost Essex promotion but Surrey now look on course to move into division one.

I Ward B Cowan 5
A Brown C Napier B Irani 2
Ramprakash B Napier 13
Clarke C Grant B Irani 17
Shahid C A Flower B Grant 18
Hollioake C Grant B Cowan 27
Batty C Jefferson B Grant 19
Bicknell B Grant 9
Saqlain B Cowan 28
Murtagh not out 14
Giddins C A Flower B Cowan 2

Extras 2

Total (all out, 43.3 overs) 162

Robinson B Bicknell 2
Jefferson C J Batty B Murtagh 29
Stephson C Hollioake B Giddins 5
A Flower C A Brown B Saqlain 13
Irani B Bicknell 41
Grayson C J Batty B Hollioake 29
Pettini B Giddins 6
Dakin C J Batty B Hollioake 8
Napier not out 5
Cowan B Giddins 0
Grant LBW B Hollioake 0

Extras 22

Total (all out, 38.2 overs) 160

Result: Surrey lions won by 2 runs