Tough time in the field for well-beaten Dulwich

AJ Fordham Surrey Championship Division 1  

DULWICH 199 (37.5) lost to GUILDFORD 346-7 (50) by 147 runs 

Dulwich slipped back to the bottom of the table after being thoroughly outplayed by Guildford, who profited from ideal batting conditions on winning the toss. 

Despite the loss of an early wicket, the visitors had 74 on the board at the end of the first ten-over powerplay. 

An excellent spell by leg spinner Ahmed Khan slowed their progress for a while. Khan claimed the wicket of Angus Lovell for a 69 ball 70, but Freddie Geffen advanced to his century and was eventually dismissed for 123, off 127 balls.  

The middle order helped him keep the score moving at an ever-increasing rate, and a breezy knock of 24 off eight balls by Tom Humphreys helped lift the Guildford score to 346-7 at the end of their 50 overs.  

Dulwich fought back with three wickets in the last four overs to collect two unexpected bowling points. Khan emerged with the creditable figures of 1-47 off his ten overs, but none of the other four bowlers went for less than seven per over. 

In reply, Dulwich lost both openers in the first five overs and then continued to lose wickets at regular intervals as the batsmen tried unsuccessfully to chase down their formidable target.  

The first three wickets fell to paceman Anwar Khan, and the three main spinners picked up four between them. Many of the batsmen got starts, but Veer Patel, who made 44 off 57 balls before being run out, was the only one to pass 20.  

The score had reached 140-9 when Ahmed Khan was joined by Salaar Waqar and the last wicket pair made merry, adding 59 off the next 31 balls and gaining two unlikely batting points.  

Khan made 35 off 37 balls, while Waqar remained unbeaten with 32 off 17. 

Dulwich visit Banstead next, who are currently fourth.