By Ben Horne
August 6 2003

Surrey beat Gloucestershire by 66 runs in a dramatic match witch included 7 run outs. Rikki Clarke clamed 2 direct hits in the space of 3 runs. He also scored 36 runs off just 26 balls with 2 sixes and 2 fours and he took 3 wickets. Surrey beat Gloucestershire by 66 runs in a dramatic match witch included 8 run outs. Rikki Clarke clamed 2 direct hits in the space of 3 runs. He also scored 36 runs off just 26 balls with 2 sixes and 2 fours and he took 3 wickets.

Surrey won the toss and decided to bat. But with the score on 34 Ian Ward went for a pull shot but he got a top edge and Mark Alleyne caught him at mid-off. Shortly after this Ali Brown completed his 50 off only 36 balls. He and Ramprakash put on 96 for the second wicket. With the score on 130 Brown went for a big hit off Ball but Lewis caught him at long off. Brown had scored an incredible 84 off just 61 balls. His innings included 12 fours and 3 sixes. England hopeful Graham Thopre then added 85 with Ramprakash. Ramprakash completed another 50 off 68 balls. With the score on 215 Thopre was fell for a useful 35 when he was stumped by Russell off Malik. Mark Ramprakash was next to go for an excellent 83. Rikki Clarke (36) and Azhar Mahmood (21 not out) hit some powerful shots to take Surrey to 297 for 6 off their 45 overs. This was Surrey highest ever score again Gloucestershire in the national league.

Batting under lights Gloucestershire were going to have trouble reaching the Surrey score. Craig Spearman and Phil Weston then came out and hit the ball all around the park. With the score on 70 Weston fell when he was caught behind off Bicknell. Spearmen then reached his 50 of only 33 balls. With the score on 114 Clarke ran out Gidman with a superb direct hit. Just 3 runs later and Clarke was in the action again. This time he ran out Windows with another direct hit. Gloucestershire were in trouble at 117 for 3. Things did not get better as another run out occurred. This time Thopre ran out Malik with another direct hit. Spearman then fell for 85 off just 73 balls. Gloucestershire were now 156 for 6. Hancock and Alleyne both hit scores in the twenties but this was not enough as the lions won by a comfortable margin of 66 runs. Surrey are now joint top of the national league with Gloucestershire. Both teams have 30 points but Surrey have a game in hand.

Surrey innings: Surrey won toss

Ward c Alleyne b Lewis 13
Brown c Lewis b Ball 84
Ramprakash b Alleyne 83
Thorpe st Russell b Malik 36
Clarke run out 36
Holliokae run out 1
Azhar M not out 21
Batty not out 8

Extras 15

Total (for 6 wickets, 45 overs) 297

Gloucestershire innings:

Spearman c Sub b Clarke 85
Weston c Batty b Bicknell 25
Gidman run out 15
Windows run out 1
Malik run out 3
Hancock run out 22
Alleyne b Clarke 29
Russell b Holliokae 17
Ball run out 7
Averis run out 3
Lewis c Sub b Clarke 5

Extras 19

Total (all out, 40 overs) 231

Result = Surrey won by 66 runs

Points = Surrey 4, Gloucestershire 0