Ashtead return to winning ways in the T20 Cup

A late-night finish, almost in the dark, and a nail-biter right to the very end. And it would be the Ashtead Stags who ended up on top, finishing as 5-wicket winners off the very last ball of the match, as they beat Division 1 outfit Stoke D’Abernon in Round 2 of the 2022 Surrey T20 Cup.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first and were immediately confronted by the spin bowling duo of the Homes brothers, Sam and Tom. The opening batters couldn’t find the boundary in the early overs and the pressure became all too much as Marcus Caprano-Wint snared a straightforward catch off Sam. 18-1.

Marcus wasn’t to be kept out the action, coming on to bowl and striking immediately. He and erstwhile skipper Tom Deighton got down to business, and the wickets kept tumbling. Stoke simply couldn’t find any real momentum and as 3 wickets became 4, a small target seemed inevitable.

We would wait until the 12th over of the innings for the seam attack to open up, and left armer Sam Hunt was immediately in the action, claiming two poles in his first two over spell – including the dangerous Luke Patterson. By this time, the visitors had only secured 71 runs and the endgame was fast approaching.

The tail wagged a little, but the return of Homes S and T put paid to any real fightback, and a sharp run out seemed to have sealed the deal. A good final over, however, saw the target pushed upwards slightly. 118 would be the figure needed to secure a space in the last 16.

Overseas pro Matthew Breetzke, fresh off his stellar 87 against Reigate Priory last Saturday, continued in his rich vein of form by coming out of the gate all guns firing. He lived by the sword, and eventually died by it, firing a sharp catch straight to point for 26. By this time, his opening partner (Marcus again in the action) had also departed. 35-2 after 5 overs.

This brought, you guessed it, a pair of brothers together at the crease again. And the Homes boys accumulated with care and composure, allowing the required rate to rise gently but keeping it manageable. Yet, as Stoke skipper Ian Hopton applied some squeeze of his own, the pressure built on the Stags this time. And it would prove the turning point, as Tom fired a catch straight to the fielder at short cover and Sam Homes was run out in a mix-up two overs later.

The wickets, also being dot balls, further increased the run rate yet with big hitters like Conor Young at the crease, anything was possible. Some tight Stoke bowling was required to set up the grandstand finish, and they obliged. 13 required to win off the last over, with a Super Over pending if the scores were tied. Conor Young and the hard-hitting Harry Williams at the crease.

Young to face first. A crucial boundary from ball 1. Then a single. A single from Williams. 7 now required off 3 balls. The fourth ball finds a fielder in the deep but Young sends Williams back in a move that would be inspired if Ashtead win, and foolhardy if they lose. 7 off 2.

The fifth ball is in the slot and Young heaves it leg side towards the car park. Up and up it goes, but does it have the distance? Just. Just enough to clear the fielder stationed on the fence. Scores level. 1 to win off the final ball. And Young slots it into the off side as the Stags barely jog through the single and the celebrations begin.

That win sees Ashtead through to the last 16, and another home tie awaits against either Addiscombe or perennial T20 opponents Beddington.

A reminder that you can follow Ashtead CC’s 1st XI matches via our Twitter (@ashteadcc), live on our website (www.ashtead.play-cricket.com) or at our YouTube channel (Ashtead Cricket Club Live). We look forward to this coming Saturday in the league! Join us then.