Esher were deducted two points for the second time this season in their winning draw against local rivals Weybridge in the Castle Lager Surrey Premiership last Saturday.

They were again penalised for a slow over-rate, but skipper Derek Lane claims the wet conditions were to blame.

"A downpour saturated the ground and the ball was soaking every time it touched it," he said.

"I couldn't bowl spinners because they couldn't grip the ball, so I had to keep the seamers on, which meant the overs were longer.

"We also had to dry the ball between every delivery and I would have thought the umpires might have taken that into account.

"It's happened twice to us now and I just hope it doesn't affect our position at the end of the season."

Esher play host to Malden Wanderers tomorrow.

May 30, 2003 10:00