Day 1 had been abandoned without a ball being bowled but play started on time on Day 2. Surrey won the toss at Guildford and elected to bat.
New recruit and ex Surrey player, Matt Pillans struck in the first over to remove Nathan Tilley courtesy of a catch at slip by Jared Warner.
Opener, Arun Harinath had to retire hurt at the end of the sixth over having being hit on his finger and he failed to re appear. Jamie Smith and Ryan Patel added 72 in 91 balls before the former was caught behind off Ed Barnes for 25. Barnes struck with his next ball having Nick Welch lbw but was denied a hat-trick.
There was no further loss before lunch and it was taken with Surrey 135-3, Patel having reached his half century from 44 balls with 11 fours.
Angus Dahl and Patel took their partnership to 108 from 146 balls when Patel was bowled by Josh Shaw for 89 from 132 balls with 16 fours. As Ed Barnes had done earlier Josh also struck with his next ball having Gareth Batty lbw. Nico Reifer survived the hat trick ball. Dahl had reached 50 from 70 balls but he became Shaws 3rd victim caught at mid on by Josh Poysden for 62.
When Dahl and Patel were going well Surrey were 207-3 but we came back in to the game by taking the last seven wickets for 32 reducing them to 239 all out.
Tom Loten and Ben Birkhead opened our reply – the score had advanced to 20 when the latter was caught at the wicket from the bowling of Matt Dunn. Former internationals Stuart Meaker and Gareth Batty also entered the attack. Ryan Patel dismissed George Hill for nine and shortly before the close Batty bowled Loten for 51 (95 balls with 7 fours).
Bad light brought an “early close” at 6.06 pm and we were 94-3 trailing by 145 entering the final day.
John Virr – 2nd XI Scorer
