Clinton getting back to his best

13 April 2012

Richard Clinton should have had mixed feelings as he blasted Bexley into the quarterfinals of the Evening Standard Challenge Trophy.

The 20-year-old Essex left-hander, out of firstteam action since breaking a wrist on 29 May, proved his fitness with 184 not out in his side's fourth- round victory at Chingford.

That knock, containing six sixes and 18 fours, guided Clinton's home club into the last eight of club cricket's £12,000 Sunday event, which features the London area's leading 112 sides.

It also ended the last hope of the county where Clinton has plied his trade since he was released by Kent two years ago.

The coveted trophy went to Essex for the first time last year when Wanstead won at The Oval, where the runners-up, for the second time, were Bexley. The quarter-finals on 4 August will feature five Middlesex clubs and one each from Surrey, Kent and Buckinghamshire.

Bexley now entertain Brentham, and their captain Gary Miles said: "Essex's loss is our gain, but we're always pleased when Richard is available."

Clinton, whose father Grahame played for Kent and Surrey, where he was first-team coach, said: "The wrist is still a bit sore and I'm probably about 90 per cent fit, but I felt good at Chingford.

"The injury came just when I was starting to settle into the Essex first team but, hopefully, I can get my place back. I'd love to help Bexley to The Oval, though."

Clinton overshadowed Brentham opener Danny Rodgers, who hit 174 of his side's 301 for five in their victory at Walton.

Favourites Teddington also topped 300 against Sutton with centuries from Andrew Mawson and Adam Tarrant.

Teddington have Wimbledon at home in the tie of the round between the championselect of the Middlesex and Surrey leagues.

Fourth-round results: Stanmore (163-4) bt Hampstead (162) by six wkts, BWIA (261) bt Hainault (140) by 121 runs, Bexley (293-3) bt Chingford (275-8) by 18 runs, Teddington (325-6) bt Sutton (150) by 175 runs, Wimbledon (250-7) bt Dulwich (170-9) by 80 runs, H Wycombe (211) bt Bromley (188) by 23 runs, Brentham (301-5) bt Walton-on-Thames (221) by 80 runs, Ealing (220-4) bt S Hampstead (219-4) by six wkts.

Quarter-final draw (4 August): Stanmore v Ealing, H Wycombe v BWIA Cavaliers, Teddington v Wimbledon, Bexley v Brentham.

Semi-finals: 25 August; Final (The Oval) 15 September.

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