A close game, but no cigar as Normandy win through

The third match on the road. The second opportunity to claim an away win. The third loss of the campaign. This was the situation at the end of the day’s play, as Normandy wrapped up an unlikely 25 run victory to leave Ashtead 8th in the table after Round 4 of the 2016 Surrey Championship Premier Division.

Normandy won the toss, and elected to make first use of a seemingly good batting surface, on a ground with large boundaries – and is also a good hunting ground for the spinners.

Initially, all seemed normal as the Normandy openers got started, but runs were not easy to find, and Ashtead were soon in the wickets. Both Jordan Thomas and John Vaughan-Davies claimed a scalp, and by the end of the opening spells, Normandy were 41-2, but not unduly concerned.

Enter the spinners, Tom and Sam Homes, and the man of the hour, Tom Deighton. Yet to find his best strike overs so far in the 2016 campaign, the Stags’ skipper got a wicket in his first over, and then proceeded to ramp up the pressure with several overs of tight bowling. After 22 overs, the score was 58-3.

Then the middle order fell apart under Deighton’s spell, with some sharp catches deposing three wickets in as many overs, to leave the hosts struggling at 67-6.

With Chris Jones at the crease, all was not lost, and together with Chris Hampton, the runs started to flow. Sam Homes removed Hampton for 9, but the momentum had been inexorably shifted, and as runs came aplenty, the game began to slip. 88-7 became 161-7, when Jones finally departed for 64 in the penultimate over. Dan Miles, who had also contributed extensively, saw the hosts home for an unbeaten 30, as Normandy posted 174-8 off their 50. Also of note was Will Pereira, an ex-Ashtead fast bowler, who did not see any action in the first innings.

The visitors fancied their chances with an extensive batting line-up, but ran into trouble almost immediately, as Guy Harper departed without scoring in the first over. The wicket of Danny Miller also fell in the PowerPlay, but at 35-2 after 10, all seemed OK.

The spinners then entered the fray, and with a flash, both set batsmen were given out LBW – Sanderson for 18 and Cameron for 29. At 62-4, the tide had turned. This got worse when it became 70-5, as John Vaughan-Davies went for 6.

Normandy were on the up, and looked to press their advantage. However, this was where the visitors came back into the game again. Will Pereira was given an over before drinks, and Paul Harrison capitalized by bludgeoning 3 boundaries. It gave him the impetus he needed to take the game to the hosts, and with some sensible batting from Sam Homes, Ashtead reached 125 from 35. 50 required from 15 with 5 wickets in hand. Straightforward, right?

Wrong. 125-6 became 131-9, as a string of quick wickets fell. Harrison, however, stayed firm and with Tom Homes as last man, the task seemed possible. It was not to be, however, as Harrison eventually fell for 54. Ashtead were bowled out for 150, 24 short with 40 balls in the bank.

Next week sees Ashtead host Weybridge in the first of the declaration format fixtures. Weybridge sit in 6th place in the league, with two wins and two losses. This fixture is also famous, as in 2011, Dom Sibley hit 200 against them during a long fixture. Hopefully 24 points will be forthcoming. Join us then.