Homes and Sidwell spell double trouble as the Stags win again

The long month of July comes around, and with the end of the first half of the 2023 season, Ashtead found vital points as they defeated Reigate Priory by 111 runs in a thrilling last-over encounter.

Seeing a previously used surface that had been repaired well, the smart move would be to make first use of the surface – which is exactly what Ben Geddes, the Stags’ skipper, decided to do. And the early going looked to validate that decision, with runs flowing and both batters making early moves. Despite losing Geddes for 16, the scoreboard continued to tick over with Dom Sibley at the crease alongside overseas pro Kieron Powell. Two Test batters at Woodfield Lane!

However, with the introduction of spin in long-standing Llama, Michael Munday, the runs dried up and the wickets came thick and fast. Sibley would be stumped in an attacking charge and this opened the floodgates. By lunch, Ashtead would be 5 down with 112 on the board and clinging on.

The rebuilding after lunch started with a pairing of youth and experience, as Ragu Aravinthan and Paul Harrison combined for a vital 55. The spinners, by now bowling at both ends, could not find any further breakthroughs while the score climbed. There was a mini-collapse following Ragu’s holing out for 38 and Harrison and Sam Homes following soon after, which threatened to derail a good score.

But the visitors were to be frustrated once more, with the tail wagging violently, courtesy of Tom Homes and Ben Sidwell. While Homes eschewed the attacking strokes, Sidwell went on the offensive – and it proved to be a winning move. When Homes finally departed, run out for a well-made 40, the pair had added 64 for the 9th wicket. Sidwell and Sam Hunt saw the Stags past the final bonus point target and Ashtead finished on 251-9 off their maximum 66 overs.

Early wickets would be vital, and it would the duo of Sidwell and Tom Homes that came up with the goods, snaring Priory’s skipper Richie Oliver for 19 and overseas pro Alex Ross for 4. However, the remaining wickets proved hard to get, amidst some stubborn defence from long-time club player Andrew Delmont and his colleague Luke Haughton.

Spin from both ends after tea couldn’t create the desired effect, and as the halfway mark in the innings (scheduled for a minimum of 54 overs) came round, the Llamas showed no signs of chasing the target – but the Stags were staring at a third draw in four games.

Homes was able to prise out another two wickets, and lift the hopes of the home spectators, but the time continued to tick away and the successes simply weren’t coming fast enough. Enter Sidwell. Straight after drinks, with an hour (and 15 overs) still to go, his pressure (and a moment of brilliance from Conor Young) broke a lengthy stand and exposed the lower order. The big prize, however, was Delmont, and Sidwell did for him too, the bails flying to end his well-made 57 with 9 overs left.

By the beginning of the final over, Homes had taken two more wickets (to sit on figures of 5-53) and all ten fielders encircled the batter. 1 wicket required. 6 balls remaining, then 5 balls, then 4, then 3. With two balls to go, not a chance had been seen. Then, with a change of angle, Homes gets a ball to dart in, past the batter’s leave and into off stump. Ecstasy for Ashtead. Agony for Reigate Priory. 111 runs was the margin, but that doesn’t do justice to just how close the game finished.

Ashtead continue to sit 9th in the league table, as Weybridge also won this weekend, but the Stags are now back within the lower order fight. The next match for Ashtead is another red-ball encounter, this time hosting Cranleigh at Woodfield Lane. The limited overs fixture was a washout in May, but Cranleigh won the last long fixture between the sides in 2021 and will be desperate to repeat.

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 next week! Join us then.