Cheam, making their return to the Surrey Championship Premier League after a seven-year absence, slipped to a 39-run defeat to Weybridge on Saturday, writes Tim Scott.
Weybridge soon regretted the decision of their skipper Jimmy Ormond to bat as they slumped to 64-6.
Lee Harrison produced a brilliant spell of 4-42 with Steve Clark taking 3-31 and they were supported by some excellent catching and fielding.
It was left to former England all-rounder Ormond to rebuild the innings with 69 and he was well supported by Henry Turner (51) in a stand of 111 that allowed Weybridge to reach 202 all out from 49.2 overs.
David Houpapa launched Ormrond into the car park from the fifth delivery of Cheam’s reply but leg-spinner Atkinson’s spell of 2-23 kept a lid on the scoring rate.
After the early loss of Jones, the run chase looked good until Houpapa and Salmons both fell to unlucky lbw decisions.
A stand of 62 between Clark and Johnson swung the balance back towards the home side but after Clark was dismissed by Henry Turner (4-50), the Cheam lower order crumbled to 169 all out from 42 overs.
Cheam visit Guildford next week in what is sure to be another tough encounter.
