Ashtead are the Champions, as Camberley are spun out

With a scream and a shout, the appeal was made. The finger goes up, and the field erupts. So ended the day at Woodfield Park, as Ashtead ran out winners by 82 runs against Camberley, and thus claimed the title of Surrey Championship Division 1 Champions for 2015.

Earlier in the day, Camberley won the toss, and wisely chose to insert the hosts. Despite a half hour delay, the match would remain as a full 50 over contest, and much was expected from Michael Sanderson and Dom Sibley, the Stags’ openers, who had scored over 1000 runs between them thus far in the season.

But Sibley was unable to continue his astonishing run of form, as he fell second ball. John Vaughan-Davies then entered the fray, and together the pair steadily accumulated runs in the remaining PowerPlay overs. The change of bowling, however, soon precipitated further wickets to fall. Both Vaughan-Davies and Sanderson fell in quick succession, along with Paul Harrison, and Ashtead found themselves 94-4, and in serious trouble.

Stewart Cameron was the remaining batsman who survived this period, and together with Conor Young, the Stags put on the charge. They both attacked the change-up bowling with aplomb, and soon boundaries were flying to all parts of the ground. After 30 overs, Ashtead were 132-4 and still set for a big score.

Enter the spinner. Camberley used just one spinner, Julian Hagger, in their innings. But he bowled his full 10 overs, and was able to utterly kill the momentum that the hosts had developed. When Young fell for 29 (from 33), the beginning of the end was in sight. Hagger claimed the final four wickets of the innings, as the lower order and the tail had very little answer. Only Jordan Thomas provided much resistance, yet the tail took up enough overs for Cameron to put more runs on the board. He finished on an unbeaten 63, as Ashtead were bundled out for 206 with an over to spare.

As in the first innings, it didn’t take long for the first wicket to fall. Max Shoveller, Camberley’s hero from last week against Spencer, had deposited Thomas into the hedge for 6 off the first ball of the innings. The second ball came down, and he attempted to repeat the feat. Instead, the ball cannoned into middle stump.

That set the tone for the rest of the Camberley innings – playing with abandon, but losing wickets as a result. Todd Hutcheson also fell early doors to Thomas, but Tim Burns and James Day began to strike. Boundaries came thick and fast throughout the PowerPlay, as neither Will Pereira nor Matt Friedlander could hold them in check. After 10 overs, Camberley were 71-2 and cantering towards their target.

Then came the spinners, and all hell broke loose. In the space of 9 balls, the visitors were reduced from 73-2 to 74-5. Both Burns and Day fell during this period, as Tom Homes and Tom Deighton turned the screw. They bowled their 20 overs in tandem, and by the time they had finished, Camberley had capitulated to 124-9. The only resistance came from Jos Clarke, who had picked up 2 wickets earlier in the day. He hit several boundaries during the period, and added plenty to Homes’ figures, before being castled by Deighton for 28.

Back came Thomas, as the spinners ran their course, and it took one ball to find Hagger’s pads to complete the win. The three wicket-takers finished on excellent figures – Deighton on 4-17, Thomas on 3-25 and Homes on 3-35. Ashtead were the champions, and wins for Old Whitgiftians and Chipstead see Camberley in a desperate position with 3 games to play.

Next week sees Ashtead host Banstead in their final game at Woodfield Lane for the 2015 season. In the long game, Ashtead ran out winners by 89 runs in their previous encounter, with Sibley making 154 and Deighton taking 7-63. Banstead lie fifth in the table, 37 points shy of the second promotion spot, and must secure the full 20 points to have any chance of making it there. Join us then.