By Ben Horne
September 22 2003

Surrey lost their final national league game of the season as they were beaten by 168 runs by Leicestershire. This result does not matter as Surrey have won the title and Leicestershire are relegated. Leicestershire won the toss and decided to bat. But just two balls into the game and John Maunders was out when he was caught by Salisbury off Sampson for a duck. But Maddy and Hodge put on a quick fire 79. Hodge departed for 43 off just 36 balls when he was caught hooking by Nadeem Shahid. Maddy and Sadler then added 83 to take the score to 162 for 2. James Benning then came into the attack and took four quick wickets. His first wicket was Maddy, who scored an excellent 69 off just 62 balls. Benning also removed Nixon, Sadler and Defreitas to leave the foxes 186 for 6. But Jeremy Snape 27 and Vasbert Drakes 43 not out took Leicestershire to 283 for 9 from their 45 overs. For Surrey James Benning took three wickets and young bowler Phil Sampson took three wickets.

Surrey were then reduced to 22 for 2 with Phil Defreitas removing Newman and Shahid. Brown fell next for 27, which was to be the highest score in the innings as Surrey were bowled out for a very poor 115. Only four players reached double figures. Graham Thorpe had to retire hurt with back trouble early in the innings. Phi Defreitas was the top wicket taker for the Foxes with 5 wickets.

However this result does not mean anything as Surrey have won the league as Leicestershire are relegated. After the game Surrey captain Adam Hollioake was awarded with the twenty20 cup and the National league trophy.

Leicestershire innings: Leicestershire won toss

Maunders c Salisbury b Sampson 0
Maddy c Batty b Benning 69
Hodge c Shahid b Clarke 43
Sadler c and b Benning 35
Nixon c Batty b Benning 0
Snape c Clarke b Sampson 27
Defreitas c Batty b Benning 11
Drakes not out 43
Masters b Clarke 14
Dagnall c Batty b Sampson 9
Brignull not out 4

Extras 28

Total (for 9 wickets, 45 overs) 283

Surrey innings

Newman c Nixon b Defreitas 8
Brown c Nixon b Drakes 27
Shahid lbw b Defreitas 0
Thorpe retired hurt 8
Clarke lbw b Defreitas 8
Benning c Maddy b Defreitas 25
Hollioake c Hodge b Defreitas 14
Batty not out 12
Salisbury c Nixon b Dagnall 3
Murtagh c Nixon b Dagnall 2
Sampson b Dagnall 0

Extras 8

Total (all out, 22 overs) 115

Result = Leicestershire won by 168 runs