Bowlers and openers run riot, as promotion nears for the Stags

Another day, another 24 points. Despite the Friday rains, the middle order collapse and the Australia A spinner, Ashtead walked home to an inspiring 128 run victory in Round 12 of the Surrey Championship Division 1. This win brings promotion a huge step closer for the Stags.

Having won the toss on a wicket that looked as if it would become more challenging as the game went on, Ashtead elected to bat. And this immediately seemed sensible, as opening batsmen Michael Sanderson and Conor Young put the seamers to the sword. 39-0 after 6 overs.

The lack of bowling meant that Adam Zampa, leaving after this game to join the Australia A squad in India, came on in just the 7th over. With 48 wickets already to his name, he seemed to be the predominant threat. The key to playing this bowler was either to sit and wait, or to hit him out of the attack. This was the tactic the openers tried, and after 5 overs, Zampa was 0-24. 82-0 after 15 overs at drinks, the Stags in complete control.

The loss of Young for 61 just after drinks saw a dramatic calming of the rate, as Sanderson and John Vaughan-Davies attempted to bat through to lunch. However, Zampa struck again 3 overs before the break, as Vaughan-Davies fell LBW for 1. Paul Harrison saw the visitors through to lunch, and at 113-2, a strong platform was set for the second half.

However, the runs dried up at the resumption of play, and when Harrison fell to a returning Westphal for 27, the Stags had only accrued 165 runs in 45 overs. The next 12 overs saw a collapse for the middle order, as 4 wickets fell for just 30 runs. The loss of Michael Sanderson for 81, coupled with the return of the other opener, Jason Moore, saw wickets fall and Ashtead arrive at 195-7 with just 8 overs left.

Cue a blasting finish, from Rob Lammiman and Stew Cameron, who went for Moore and Zampa, including some impressive sixes. The visitors finished on 248-9 in their 66 overs.

After the 10 min interval, Ashtead continued their momentum with an early wicket from Matt Friedlander to leave the hosts reeling on 2-1. However, from there East Molesey controlled the rest of the session, surviving a couple of close appeals and some risky strokeplay to reach tea on 41-1 after 12 overs.

However, the break in play saw a break in concentration, and the opportunity was all the Stags needed to go for the kill. Two wickets in two overs for Deighton (into the attack early) and Friedlander stopped the forward momentum, and when Nick Stevens, the sole shining light for the hosts, fell for 46 a few overs later, the end was nigh indeed.

10 overs later, and it was all over. Friedlander proceeded to dispatch the middle and lower order with a combination of wicked swing and vicious pace, routinely pitching short and causing serious problems. Deighton chipped in with another wicket, his third, and with Friedlander claiming his fifth of the day, the hosts were grimly staring defeat in the face. The return of Jordan Thomas removed the tail in a flash, bowling out the hosts for 120.

The win here, with a win for Spencer at Malden, gives Ashtead a 43 point lead over East Molesey, and 46 over Spencer, with 6 games remaining. Next week sees Ashtead at home for the first time since June, as they host league stragglers Farnham in the last of the declaration fixtures. A win for Ashtead guarantees a margin of over 2 wins with the limited overs fixtures to come. Join us then.