Roffey take the victory but the Stags show great promise

Another beautiful April day, but less success than last week. This was the story of Ashtead CC’s second pre-season friendly, as they fell 21 runs short against the strong Sussex club Roffey.

The visitors won the toss and elected to make first use of another well-tended April pitch – hard on top, softer underneath, with plenty for both batsman and bowler alike. And the initial going would be in Ashtead’s favour, as new player/coach Wayne White and club stalwart Ben Sidwell kept the runs at a minimum in the early overs.

However, wickets would be somewhat harder to come by. Despite White picking up his first scalp of the year with bails flying, Roffey were able to build a platform from which to attack later in the innings. It would be the introduction of spin, so often a potent weapon for the Stags, that would see the breakthrough. Sidwell, not to be kept out of the action for long, produced a quality pick-up and accurate throw to deny a quick single and bring a new man to the crease. 57-2 after 18. Game on.

The hope was that the run out would trigger further wickets to fall, but instead the visitors piled in the pressure as they began to score more freely. All too soon, sizes began to be deposited over hedges and into trees. The signs were ominous for a big total to chase.

Enter Tom Homes, ever the wicket taker for the Stags. In a 10 over spell of tricky, enticing and at times beguiling bowling, he managed to remove both the set batsmen. By the end of his time with ball in hand, Roffey had reached 191-4 with 7 overs remaining. The visiting captain was sitting pretty on 32, but with a new companion to partner him. How far could the visitors get?

249-8, as it turned out. The wickets in hand perhaps didn’t translate into the imposed total the hosts might have feared, with some excellent death bowling by White and Harri Aravinthan, and more superb fielding from Sidwell. The total was competitive, but certainly chasable.

It was abundantly clear from the outset that Ashtead would be attacking hard. Despite losing White for 6 early on, skipper Ben Geddes (fresh from scoring more midweek runs for Surrey 2nd XI) and Harri Aravinthan took the game to the bowlers. Geddes, full of destructive intent, was soon finding hedges and trees himself, while Harri toiled hard to ensure the strike rotated. 98-1 after 20 overs, all going well.

Then came the customary slide. Wickets often breed more wickets, and the stumping of Harri for 26 began the descent. The big wicket was Geddes, caught on the boundary attempting another huge hit for 67. The middle order showed some fight, but the runs dried up and with 10 overs remaining, 75 to win seemed a very tall order.

And so it proved. Tom Homes provided some fight (proving his all-round qualities), aided and abetted by the lower order and the tail (including a fine 17 from youngster Nathan Farmer), but it would all be in vain. With Homes departing for 42 with 36 still needed and just 25 balls remaining, the end was nigh. The returning opening bowler duly completed the task in the penultimate over, bowling out the Stags for 229. A disappointing end, but much promise shown.

Next week sees Camberley travel to Woodfield Lane for the final pre-season fixture. Camberley has been a regular friendly opponent for the last few years, and normally provides a decent challenge to hone skills and matchcraft heading into the season. Last year’s match (played in July) saw Ashtead the victor by 3 wickets.

A reminder that you can follow Ashtead CC’s 1st XI matches via our Twitter (@ashteadcc) or live on our website (www.ashtead.play-cricket.com). We look forward to next Saturday! Join us then.