LV= COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP, DIVISION TWO, The Oval:
Surrey 322 and 342-6dec drew with Northants 376 and 211-5
Northants 9pts, Surrey 8pts
Match scorecard

Surrey's attempt to force a victory at The Oval failed as they had to settle for a draw against Northants.

Home skipper Rory Hamilton-Brown opted to declare on 342-6, with Zander de Bruyn unbeaten on 91, setting Northants 289 to win in a minimum of 66 overs.

But, despite Stuart Meaker taking 3-46, backed by spinner Chris Schofield's 2-57, Northants were never in trouble.

Mal Loye made 52 and Alex Wakely 38 before bad light called a halt with Northants well short on 211-5.

That forced an end to Northantsmptonshire's unlikely run chase seven overs from the scheduled close.

Earlier in the day, de Bruyn, making his debut following his winter move to SE11 from Somerset, posted a maiden half-century for his new club from 137 balls, including six fours.

De Bruyn and fellow Surrey debutant Tom Maynard (40), signed from Glamorgan, joined forces in a healthy sixth-wicket stand to add 69 in 15 overs.

But de Bruyn was denied a debut century when, 10 short of a century after 257 minutes at the crease, Hamilton-Brown declared during the lunch interval.

Northants head coach David Capel told BBC Radio Northampton:
"You set out there to get yourself in a strong position and look to force a win. If you can't do that, you have to settle for a draw.

"I don't think we bowled as well as we feel we can, in the first innings.

"To be 163-7 at one stage and then to see the fight and character of Andrew Hall and James Middlebrook, that was very heartening."

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