20 points for Chipstead as champions coast

And the rain, rain, rain came down, down, down, and the rain came pouring down. But that did not stop the fast charging Chipstead, Coulsdon & Walcountians, who claimed a 5-wicket win against Ashtead to secure safety in the penultimate round of 2015.

Ashtead won the toss and elected to bat, on a used wicket that would only deteriorate as the game went on. With the threat of rain around, and the use of Duckworth-Lewis-Stern looming on the horizon, it would be vital to get a solid total on the board.

The Ashtead openers, Michael Sanderson and Dom Sibley, both looked fairly comfortable in the early overs, as the Chipstead overseas bowler, Brad Barends, and Leigh Padfield fialed to make much headway during the initial PowerPlay. That is, until Sanderson was bowled for 19 in the 9th over.

This caused a flurry of wickets to fall – first Sibley, chipping a slower ball to Nick Woods at cover for 20, and then the introduction of spin with Malinda Thotiwilage saw the fall of Conor Young and Paul Harrison within three overs of each other. After 18 overs, Ashtead were 74-4 and staring at a low score.

John Vaughan-Davies and Danny Miller then stopped the rot for a few overs, and indeed plundered some runs off Salil Oberoi. But, as with so many of the innings in this game, it was not to last. The return of Leigh Padfield, changing ends, saw the end of Vaughan-Davies, and a second-ball duck for Tom Deighton, and at 103-6, the visitors had to rebuild again.

A long partnership then developed between Miller and Jordan Thomas, and as the overs dragged through, the score slowly built. But, as before, the wickets came in pairs, and as Thomas was found out by Oberoi, so was his replacement, James Culff.

Four overs later, and it would be Miller’s turn, as he found the outside edge off Oberoi into the waiting gloves of the keeper for 23. Five balls later, and the finger would be raised to see off Nick Hill LBW. Ashtead had collapsed to 149 all out in 42 overs, and would need a mighty performance to take the win.

Chipstead came flying out of the blocks, as they looked to the skies, and although David Ward fell during the first over, there was utter carnage. Coupled with wides aplenty, neither Thomas, nor Sibley, nor Culff could find answers. Despite the early wicket of Ward, and an excellent catch from Young to dispatch Nick Woods for 13, Chipstead were 52-2 from just 4 overs.

Thotiwilage and Oberoi then continued the charge, as the spin options of Harrison and Deighton were brought into the attack. Then both found early success, as Thotiwilage and Alex Drombrandt both fell within two overs, and Deighton claimed Oberoi soon after. After 93-5 after 13 overs, an early finish was guaranteed.

And the hosts were able to see it home, as Ben Sandhu and Robbie Martin both continued to plunder runs off the slow bowlers. With another boundary hit, Sandhu saw Chipstead to the target in just 18.2 overs, finishing on an unbeaten 41 from 24 balls. This win sees Chipstead to safety in Division 1, with Camberley relegated as they failed to win a crucial game against Banstead.

Next week sees Ashtead travel to Cranleigh for the final game of the 2015 season. Cranleigh kept their hopes of promotion alive with a thumping 9 wicket win at Spencer, and will need a win from their final game, as well as East Molesey to falter, in order to clinch a Premiership spot. Ashtead, of course, are already there, and will want to round out the season with a flourish. Join us then.