Second-best for the Stags as Guildford win a nail-biter

Finally, some league cricket is played! And, as ever, a low-scoring contest provides a nail-biting conclusion. And it would be Ashtead who finished the runner-up, as they hosted Guildford in Round 2 of the 2023 Surrey Championship Premier League.

After last week’s washout, the groundstaff at Woodfield Lane worked miracles to produce a ground that was even fit for some play. As it was, additional drying time was needed.

The Guildford players eventually took the field at 1:30pm for a 42 overs a side contest – having won the toss, and put Ashtead in to bat. The early overs appeared to show this as a decision that had backfired, with new overseas star Kieron Powell and Surrey contracted Ben Geddes feeling their way into the innings. Boundaries began to flow, and momentum appeared to be gathering.

Losing Powell straight after a monster six into the flats wasn’t ideal, but Harri Aravinthan picked up where he had left off and the scoring rate continued to climb. The pitch was proving challenging (very typical for the time of year), especially in its slower speed, and this eventually did for Geddes, holing out for 29 after another couple of big hits. Momentum would be further sapped a few overs later, losing Harri LBW and the Stags’ second Surrey star Nick Kimber immediately after. The Stags were now 72-4 and rebuilding was required.

This came from a very mature and composed innings from Ragu Aravinthan, forgoing his usual attacking style and playing his way carefully into his time in the middle. He formed a solid partnership with Paul Harrison, who used his experience well in crafting a similarly observant effort. The runs dried up initially, but began to pick up as their time at the crease progressed – setting a platform for a push in the final few overs.

This came from Ragu and a range of lower order batters (often used to positions higher in the order, so with considerable talent to bring). As they swung hard and fast, they found the boundary but also the hands of waiting fielders (as is so often the case at the end of an innings). Ragu would be the last man out, for a hard-earned 43, as Ashtead were all out for 160 with three balls to spare.

The bowling performance needed to be slick and economical, and early wickets were vital. A tidy opening spell from Sam Hunt was a good start, but Harri Aravinthan showcased his all-rounder talent with an excellent first five over dart that included two big wickets. At 22-2 after 10 overs, the visitors were taking their time and using up their resources.

Guildford has proved that slow bowling and spin was the way forward on this surface, and Ashtead confirmed that suspicion as Tom Homes produced one of his best league performances. 3 early wickets in his spell reduced the batting team to 56-5, which became 70-6 a few overs later. From being behind the game, the Stags were now right back in it.

But Guildford, like Ashtead, had batting right down their order, and they rebuilt successfully just as the hosts had done. Even so, another two wickets (one for each of the Homes brothers, Tom now with overall figures of 5-18) fell and the visitors needed 45 off the last 9 with just 2 wickets left. The fact they got those runs was a testament to power batting, and half-chances that required fortune which simply wasn’t forthcoming. Guildford completed the chase with 16 balls to spare.

This result sees Ashtead in 8th place in the league table, although it is very early days in the league this year. Next week sees Ashtead travel to Normandy (near Farnham, not France!). Last year’s fixture saw Normandy emerge victorious by 4 wickets in a tight fixture.

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.