Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy take no prisoners in South Africa

Published 27 March 2008

The Pemberton Greenish Surrey Academy continued their winning ways on tour in South Africa with what Gareth Townsend described as one of the greatest run chases he has witnessed at this level.

The drama unfolded at the picturesque Boland Park in Paarl on the Western Cape and the general consensus among the home support was that a total of 323 would be a target too great for the Academy.

On a good batting pitch, Townsend encouraged his young batsmen to play with freedom and to back their natural ability to chase the huge target. The Boland side were made up of boys two years older than those in the Surrey side and were also able to call upon the experience of South African U19 opening bowler Clayton August.

The Academy started positively with opening batsmen Daniel Newton driving the new ball bowlers down the ground with consummate ease. The first wicket fell at 45 bringing Josh Lawrence to the crease and he soon settled in to develop a useful partnership with the dominant Newton taking a leading role.

The introduction of spin by the Boland Captain seemed the perfect move as the Pemberton Greenish Acadmey boys struggled to manoever the ball around the ground. With the run rate steadily increasing both players began to rotate the strike regularly, but as they began to get going again the side were struck with the loss of Lawrence, who went for a well constructed 71 off 86 balls.

His replacement, Tom Lancefield joined Newton, who was at this stage nearing three figures. But the pair stared at the difficult equation of 140 required from only 16 overs.

Sloppiness started to creep into the tiring Boland fielders and both batsmen used this to their advantage. The situation of the game required a heroic innings and Lancefield provided this with some remarkable ball striking. Reaching his half century from only 26 deliveries, he kept his side well in contention for victory.

Lancefield was not phased when the Pemberton Greenish Academy lost their centurion, Newton for 130. He responded by smashing two enormous sixes to take his side within 44 runs of the target. Some aggressive running between the wickets with his skipper Tom Jewell meant that the equation read 14 runs from 14 balls. Lancefield did not hang around and ended the game in style with a flurry of boundaries giving Surrey victory by five wickets and with an over still to spare.

Commenting on the incredible run chase, Townsend said: “It was a magnificent spectacle. It was a great team effort but credit must go to both Newton and Lancefield for their match winning performances.”

He added: “By chasing down this total, the lads have shown that they can conquer any challenge put to them on the cricket field. They have developed a winning habit on this tour and I this will continue through the remainder of our time in South Africa and into the start of the English summer.”