T20 triumph for Stags over Reigate Priory

A grey day turned to sunshine as Ashtead took to the field on Tuesday evening. Reigate had won the toss and chose to bat, no doubt hoping to post a daunting total, but Ashtead's opening bowlers had other ideas. Opening batsman Rotsey was clean bowled first ball by Conor Young who gave away just one further run in the opening over. Not to be outdone Tom Homes' followed with a wicket maiden dismissing Luke Beaven for 1 and Young responded with the third wicket in as many overs. Reigate looked dishevelled at 3 for 2 after 3 overs.

Ashtead's young team, ably captained by Fred Davies and with Hayden Storey behind the stumps, looked lively in the field and were up for a challenge. Young and Homes followed by John-Vaughan-Davies and Tom Deighton kept the runs pinned back and by the half way stage Reigate had lost 5 wickets and only made 18 runs. Some resistance was put up by Ollie Tame before he was bowled by Deighton for 14 and then it was left to numbers 8,9 and 10 to salvage some respect for Reigate.

Hurst began to get into his stride making a determined 27 including 3 fours and a six before he was finally stumped by Storey off Fred Davies. The final onslaught was made by Ramsden (9*) and Briggs (18*) and Reigate had made 90-8 off their 20 overs, more than might have been expected a little earlier.

Ashtead's 5 bowlers all performed well sharing the wickets with the best figures being Conor Young 2-12 and Tom Homes 1-5.

A 5 minute break and Ashtead openers Michael Sanderson and Stuart Cope were out on the field ready to start the chase. Sanderson looked comfortable directing the ball around the field and a partnership of 19 was made within the first 4 overs before Cope was caught by Tye for 2. George Tyson came and went before Vaughan-Davies came to the crease and together with Sanderson they put on a further 32 runs before Sanderson was finally bowled in the 12th (with the score on 53)for a very creditable 40 including four boundaries.

Fred Davies made a quick 6 runs before being caught and was replaced by Conor Young. Together Young and Vaughan-Davies steadily knocked off the runs at 4 or 5 an over before taking advantage of new bowlers Tame and Briggs who went for 9 and 10 respectively off the 17th and 18th overs. A jubilant Ashtead had met the target with 2 overs and 6 wickets to spare.

Vaughan-Davies finished on 23* (including 2 fours and a six) and Young on 18* (3 fours).

Thanks to Reigate Priory for their hospitality and the view and roll on the next round!