HAVING already won promotion to the Surrey Championship, Haslemere made it a season to remember by beating Frimley in the Fuller’s Surrey League Cup final at Hampton Hill on Sunday.

Peter Dudley was man of the match for his crucial 45 not out. Coming in at number 7, the keeper swung a hard-fought match Haslemere’s way

Frimley, who themselves have won promotion to the Fuller’s Premier Division, chose to field first in the 45-overs game and Haslemere got off to a decent start.

Openers Lee Clement and Chris Spooner put on 51 and with Chris Hooker and Sam Williams also making solid contributions, Haslemere were heading for a big total at 104-3.

But Frimley pegged back the run-rate in the middle overs. David Carroll (4-21 in 9 overs) bowled particularly well and Haslemere stuttered to 122-6.

However, Dudley played a vital innings and, at 145-8, he was joined by Ollie Ellis in a rearguard partnership of 36. Dudley picked off five fours and a six and steered Haslemere to a competitive 181-9 on a pitch that was getting increasing difficult to bat on.

The dangerous John Hebditch, a former I’Anson player, got Frimley off to an excellent start and when he was dropped in the deep on 20, Haslemere feared the worse. He went on to make 51 before falling lbw to the ever dependable Williams.

The spin of Alex Hooker (4-22 in 5.3 overs), Chris Spooner and Williams ultimately killed off Frimley’s valiant challenge. The run-rate dried up and after slipping from 78-2 to 119-7, there was no way back for the Division One side. They were all out for 136 in the 43rd over, Haslemere winning by 45 runs. Then the celebrations started ...