Disappointing draw for Ashtead

Ashtead travelled to Old Whitgiftians for the first timed game of the 2015 season. The home team won the toss and Ashtead were put in to bat. Old Whitgiftians had some tidy bowlers in Harshil Patel, Nikhil Patel and Mo Raza. Ashtead’s top order struggled to score and then the wickets began to tumble, with two falling to Harshil Patel and two to Raza to leave the Stags on 67-4 after 24 overs. Danny Miller managed a few strong boundaries but it was again Stewart Cameron who started to pull the innings back. With 6 fours and 2 sixes it was disappointing to see him dismissed lbw to Nikhil Patel for 48 just when he was getting into his stride. With the score on only 149 it was not looking good for Ashtead, but, with characteristic stubbornness, captain Tom Deighton was not giving up so easily. Ably supported by Jordy Thomas they put together a 57 run partnership before Deighton was finally caught by Nikhil Patel off Raza for 44, including seven fours. Ashtead batted for their maximum 66 overs and finished on 224-9. Raza took four wickets and there were three for Harshil Patel and two for Nikhil Patel.

Two early wickets for Jordy Thomas in the second innings looked a promising start for Ashtead, but Old Whitgiftians Rory Caines and Nicholas Welch soon dug in and with some impressive boundaries, particularly from Welch, they put together a 72 run partnership before Caines was eventually caught behind for 30 off Vaughan-Davies. Welch succumbed next, lbw to Tom Homes for 60 (including 7 fours and 3 sixes), with the score on 118 after 34 overs. Another two quick wickets and the match seemed to be swinging Ashtead’s way, but then the resistance came from Old Whits captain Mo Raza, backed up by Shahraiz Nashim. When Raza was dismissed for 27 with the score on 170 and seven overs to go the match was evenly balanced. It seemed certain that Old Whits would reach the 184 needed for a winning draw, but did Ashtead have time to take their remaining 3 wickets? It took another 3 overs before Nashim went lbw to Tom Homes and with only one needed for the winning draw time was running out for Ashtead. Opening bowler Harshil Patel showed he was also a useful bat, hitting three fours and a six in his unbeaten total of 26 to take Old Whits score on to 200 by the end of their 54 overs, enough for an extra bonus point, while number 10 Raj Chatwal stubbornly defended his wicket.

The winning draw went to Old Whitgiftians and Ashtead had to be content with a handful of bonus points.