Ashtead annihilate Chipstead as cup run begins

T20 is back - with a vengeance. And Ashtead proved they still had the mettle to cut it with the best, as they demolished Chipstead, Coulsdon & Walcountians by 151 runs in Round 2 of the 2016 Edwards Cup.

Ashtead won the toss, and elected to bat, and then proceeded to play a direct game. The tactics were simple – bat sensibly, attack whenever able, and look to score at least 140 runs. The batting target was reached in the 14th over without losing a wicket.

Danny Miller and Conor Young both batting fluently and with great skill, as balls routinely found the boundary. The opening Chipstead bowlers were able to restrict the scoring to 33-0 from 5, but the remainder were taken to task.

Young was the first to 50, off just 31 deliveries in the 10th over. Three overs later, and Miller made the same milestone, this time off 37 balls. Overs continued to fly by, with spinners from both ends, and runs continued aplenty.

Miller was eventually the first to go, caught for 63 from 43, but the destruction continued, as Young renewed his advances, with Hayden Storey ably rotating strike. The final over arrived, with Ashtead on 188-1 and Conor on 95. Storey was caught on the boundary for 8 off the first ball, but this brought Conor on strike and two balls later he completed his century, scored off just 59 balls.

Despite being caught on the boundary off the next ball, some frantic final balls and a boundary off the last saw the Stags to 198-3 off their 20. It would take a mighty effort to even get close.

Unfortunately for the visitors, the mighty effort came from the Ashtead bowlers, not the Chipstead batsmen, as the Homes duo wreaked havoc on the top and middle order. Two bowled, a catch by keeper Storey and a stumping, and CCW were 2 for 4.

Jake Martin and Aaron Rose brought pace into play, and with their spells producing combined figures of 4-17 off 4 overs, the rest of the batting order capitulated. 24-8 at halfway was a sorry tale, given the reputation of the Division 1 side.

Some courageous batting by the tail, attempting to restore some pride, conjured 20 more runs before the 9th wicket fell, and with a straightforward caught and bowled 3 overs later, the match was wrapped up. Chipstead were bowled out for 47 in the 17th over, with every Ashtead bowler picking up cheap wickets.

Player of the Team = Conor Young, unsurprisingly.

Ashtead host Beddington in the next round of the 20 over cup, to be played before 1st July, which will prove a stiffer test. Join us then.