ASHTEAD MOVE INTO LAST 8 OF ECB NATIONAL T20 COMPETITION

On a day when Hurricane Bertha disrupted much cricket across the Country, including most of the other regional finals, the groundstaff at Horsham CC, performed a remarkable task in getting the ground fit for play by 2pm.

With two semis and a final to fit into this Area Finals day, matches were reduced from the programmed T20 format to 10 overs a side. Ashtead were first up, taking on Hastings. Winning the toss, Ashtead asked Hastings to bat on a pitch which suited the quartet of spinners Ashtead had included in their side. Tom Homes struck in his first over and with his brother, Sam Homes doing likewise, the Sussex Premier League side were reduced to 5 for 2 after 3 overs. A stand of 52 saw Hastings back into the game, but the promising partnership was ended by Deighton with the aid of a good catch from Pickering. With able support from Cohen and Vaughan-Davies, Hastings made their way to 88 of their 10 overs, Sam Homes being the pick of a great all round bowling effort, with figures of 2 for 11.

Harrison got the Ashtead innings off to a flyer, hitting 19 off the first over. But when Miller went first ball and Harrison followed soon after, there was a risk that the promising start might come to nothing. Young perished soon after and it was left to Cameron and Sanderson to rebuild. Controlled aggression kept Ashtead in the hunt and they went into the last over with 9 needed. Sam Homes, fresh in showed a cool head striking a powerful boundary, but tight bowling, backed up by excellent fielding saw Ashtead needing 4 to win off the last ball. Homes showed nerve belying his young years and struck the final ball of the innings, square to leave Ashtead victors in this thrilling encounter.

The demolition of South Wilts by Beckenham in the other semi-final, set up a contest between Ashtead and Kent Premier League's contenders, Beckenham. Choosing to bat first, early wickets saw Ashtead in some difficulty, with Harrison and Miller both going early. Once again, Cameron and Sanderson came to the rescue with a partnership of 56, to set Beckenham a target of 97 in their 10 overs. From the start, Beckenham struggled against the accurate Ashtead spin attack. Early wickets to Tom Homes, Deighton and Cohen didn't help matters and the run rate in this short format game, soon rose above 10 and beyond. With 22 needed off the last over, the result was never in doubt and Ashtead ran off to celebrate a remarkable day and a remarkable run.

Ashtead have now accounted for five premier league sides in this competition and a win in the next round against the champions of the South-West competition, would see Ashtead in the televised final. The next round will take place on 24th August, with Ashtead drawn home against the winners of the South-West final to be played on 17th August.