Sanderson tons up as Stags complete perfect start

The final pre-season of the campaign for the Ashtead Stags was the hosting of Banstead. After good wins against Leatherhead and Camberley, this should be the stiffest test before East Molesey arrive for the first league fixture in a week’s time.

It was agreed that this match would be 45 overs in duration, and that Ashtead would get first use of a track that promised some good batting early doors, but would be troublesome later on in the innings. John Vaughan-Davies and Michael Sanderson opened the batting, and were immediately on the offensive. Despite losing John early on, Sanderson and new find Sachin Puri tore into the Banstead attach. At drinks, Ashtead were 115-1 after 24 and looking good.

The pair continued to score heavily, and when Puri was finally out for 47 in the 36th over, they had contributed 134 in a stand that was to define the match. Sanderson then dutifully completed his century with a pair of boundaries to crown a magnificent start to his year – scores of 51, 58 and 103 show great promise.

After losing the big scorers, the typical collapse followed – although this time, it was in search of the big shots rather than securing a defendable total. Some big boundaries from Guy Harper, Sam Homes and Paul Harrison, assisted by the lower order and tail, saw the hosts reach a solid 229-8 off their 45. Banstead would need to pull out all the stops to stop Ashtead completing a pre-season sweep.

Newly arrived from a lengthy stint at Spencer, Neil Baker showed why he is still a force to be reckoned with in Surrey league cricket, by proceeding to tear into the Stags’ bowling attack. Ably assisted by Tom Lancefield, the pair rapidly put on 71 for the first wicket. Next came Craig Short, and the charge continued. Baker’s half-century came in after just 43 balls, and no bowler could successfully contain him.

It was the Homes brothers who broke through, with Baker going for 90 off Tom, and Short then departing for 33 off Sam. 157-3 off 31. 73 runs required, off 14 overs, with 7 wickets to find. Game on.

Except no-one had given the ‘exciting finish’ script to the Ashtead bowlers. Specifically, the spinners again, with Deighton and the Homes brothers wrecking the rest of the Banstead order. Some smart work from the fielders, including a snappy run out and a juggled slip catch, aided and abetted the attack. Banstead were eventually dismissed for 202 with an over to spare. Sam Homes and Deighton each took 3, with Tom Homes taking 2 and the others spread elsewhere.

With a 27 run victory, the Stags complete their perfect start to the 2016 campaign. The next week sees East Molesey head to Woodfield Lane to start the 2016 league season, and then travel to Weybridge for Round 2 of the Royal London Club Championship. Join us for two vital games in the early season trail.