Merstham 199 all out

Caterham 203 for 9

Caterham recorded another Fuller's League Division Two victory at Quality Street on Saturday and moved to a season's high of fourth to maintain their faint promotion hopes.

Cats won the toss and were boosted with a fine start as young paceman Rob March removed the Merstham opener with only his fourth ball. After he and opening partner Dan Pollard struck again, Merstham were reeling at 26 for three. A nasty shoulder injury forced March to retire with two for 11.

Skipper Andy Johnson snapped up a wicket and Steve Grace struck, leaving Merstham on a precarious 82 for 5 in the 25th over. Tharp gained an ally in Masey (20) as they added 49 for the sixth wicket before leg-spinner Luke Jones (1 for 23) deceived the latter and 2 runs later the versatile Pollard removed Tharp for 67.

The home tail wagged as Westnedge (27) battled hard to take the total to 199 before Pollard (5 for 59) worked his way through the rest.

Cats reply began well as Stuart Congdon (48) and Richard Rowlett added 56 in quick time.

But the visitors slipped to 119 for 4 with 81 required off 15 overs. Stuart Reavell and Aaron Johnstone kept up the momentum but when Loader (2 for 62) and Tharp (5 for 59) removed them, Caterham appeared to be throwing away victory at 143 for 6.

Skipper Johnson and Pollard steadied the ship then attacked in a vital partnership of 36 off 29 balls. When Tharp took two more wickets the total was 184 for eight with 15 balls to go and only the injured March to bat.

Pollard calmly struck a six, a single and two fours off the next five deliveries to bring the scores level. But he was caught at slip for 34. March came in with one to win and managed to pierce the tight field as Cats scrambled home with seven balls to spare.