Stags gain first win of the season

The Ashtead 1st team recorded their first league victory of the season with a comprehensive victory over Purley on Saturday.

The first truly warm day of the cricket season saw Ashtead lose the toss and bowl first on an excellent Purley wicket. Fry and Miles were punishing on Friedlanders two wayward overs, before he was replaced by Cope, but Vaughan Davies at the other end was a different proposition. Miles, the centurion of the previous week, attempted a cut at a ball which was perhaps too close to him and was bowled by Vaughan-Davies in only the third over with the score on 13. Fry and Syed took the score to 39, before Syed was very well caught, low down by Gary Wilson off the bowling of Cope. After that, it was really all about John Fry who worked hard and showed great application, which was somewhat lacking in his partners. Cameron was the surprise pick of the Ashtead bowlers, completing a ten over spell and finishing with figures of 5 for 32. Cameron bowled with good discipline, kept the ball well up to the bat and did just enough with the ball to induce the odd mistake. He was supported by some excellent keeping from Zac Elkin, a stumping down the leg side and a sharp catch standing up, being particularly memorable.

As a unit, Ashtead bowled well, with Cope, Wilson and Vaughan-Davies all showing good discipline. Spinners Deighton and Pickering, came late to the party, but made their presence felt with one wicket apiece, to close the Purley innings at a disappointing 147, well below par for the top class surface.

Vaughan-Davies and Elkin opened up for Ashtead and the early wicket of Vaughan-Davies, bowled by Somerford for 3, gave Purley early hope. Gary Wilson (20) and Elkin got the Ashtead innings back on track and looked to be taking control, when Wilson, who looked very well set, was caught down the leg side of Chaudhry for 20. With the score at 37-2, another wicket or two, might have got hearts fluttering in the Ashtead dressing room, but Cameron soon put an end to any nerves, taking the attack to the Purley bowlers. His 65n.o off only 52 balls, including 4 sixes and 7 fours was a particularly savage knock, full of controlled aggression. Cameron was equally disrespectful of all bowlers, but was especially savage on Andrew MacDonald, whose 5 overs were dispatched for 34. MacDonald, being asked to bowl at a very difficult time with both Cameron and Elkin well set.

Elkin too, batted at good pace, having been circumspect in the early stages, his 58n.o, taking only 68 balls and including 7 fours. All in all, this was a fine Ashtead performance, which should give the side plenty of confidence going into next weeks contest with Valley End.