Ashtead get full value as the runs flow at Sutton

20 points secured and a win in May. This was the story as Ashtead’s 1st XI secured their first league victory in the 2022 Surrey Championship Premier Division, with a 74 run win away at newly promoted Sutton.

Ashtead won the toss and elected to bat first, on a wicket that looked beautiful for batting but with overhead conditions that would favour the bowlers in the early overs. And, indeed, it would be Sutton who made the better start, with openers Gareth James and Marcus Caprano-Wint finding the going somewhat difficult in the early overs. An unusual combination of spin and seam bowling proved hard to score from, and the pressure told as James would depart for 7.

This brought overseas pro Matthew Breetzke to the crease. Hopes were high, with a couple of big scores already under his belt, and he started carefully, seeing his way through the early overs. Marcus, meanwhile, had played himself in and then cut loose, with the ball flying to all parts of the ground and the first 6 of the day off the young spinner. It would certainly not be the last.

It would take the Sutton overseas spinner, Dane Currency, to break the partnership – Marcus reaching his 50 and then falling immediately LBW, just before the mid-session drinks. The platform, however, had been set and despite losing another wicket quickly, the Stags would capitalise. Paul Harrison, returning to the Ashtead fold, would be the man to kickstart the acceleration, building an innings and then exploding into action with an over that scored 24 (yes, 24).

With 10 overs to go, Ashtead stood at 195-3. They would put on another 103 runs off the final 10 overs. The main architect of this astonishing batting was Breetzke, who by this stage had reached 78 and was deep into his power hitting. Supported first by Harrison, then by Conor Young and lastly Sussex pro bowler Sean Hunt, Matt would finish the innings unbeaten on 134 from just 137 balls. The promise he had shown throughout May had been realised.

Faced with the prospect of a heavy chase, the hosts came out of the blocks attacking – but it was a strategy filled with risk and two early wickets dented, but not halted, their advance. It would be Sam Homes who would change the game completely, demolishing Sutton’s middle order and leaving them reeling at 62-5.

With hopes of the win fading, the key priority for Sutton became finishing the innings and grabbing as many bonus points as possible. Spearheaded by Josh Blake, the batter-keeper with sparkling league form, they almost made it to 4 batting points. Blake was eventually bowled for 101 by young left-armer Sam Hunt, but with the tail swinging, the hosts finished on a credible 224-9. The remaining wickets were shared around, with Tom Homes picking up a couple.

This result leaves Ashtead 8th in the table, just above the relegation zone, at the end of the first block of limited over fixtures. Next week sees the first of the longer, ‘timed’ format matches, with the Stags hosting current title holders East Molesey, who sit 3rd in the table.

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.