By Ben Honre
September 23 2005

Surrey have been relegated from the county championship after they could not reach their intended target of 400 for 2. Scott Newman fell in the fist session of play for 58 with the score on 137. However Mark Ramprakash gave the surrey fans something to smile about as he made 200 not out.

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. Yogi’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 for 58. This meant Sorry could score no more bonus points than Middx and were relegated.

By Barmy Kev (sex’ fan)

Middlesex then decided to use part time bowlers Shah and Joyce to make sure they stayed ahead of the over rate. Mark Ramprakash and John Batty cashed in as they added 178 for the fourth wicket. Batty reached 73 when he was caught behind with Shah taking the wicket. Ramprakash and Mahmood then continued to dominate against the Middlesex bowlers as they put on a huge stand of 245. The score reached 462 for 5, when stumps were called. Azhar was 78 not out, while Ramprakash gave the surrey fans something to smile about with an excellent score of 200 not out, his highest score of the season. However his events were in vain as Surrey now have to face up to life in division two.

By Ben Horne (Surrey fan)

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