3 wins in the long game as Beddington succumb

And the wins just keep on coming. Ashtead comprehensively defeated Beddington with both bat and ball to win by 130 runs in Round 7 of the 2016 Surrey Championship Premier Division.

After losing 45 minutes to dry out some damper areas of the ground, the game was shortened to a minimum of 107 overs, with a maximum of 59 overs to bat in the first innings. Beddington won the toss, and elected to field, but immediately regretted that decision as the visitors scored well in the early overs.

Both Michael Sanderson and Danny Miller were given some chances to the fielders, but they had to grasp them. Neither of the opening bowlers, Ryan Cummins and Tom Bevan, could find a way through, and soon Miller was crunching the boundaries, including two big sixes. At 56-0 after 13 overs, the Stags were well on top.

However, the introduction of spin brought two wickets in as many overs, and both set batsmen were sent back to the pavilion. Matt Friedlander and Guy Harper then began the rebuilding process, but Friedlander caught not hold off a charging Bevan, and fell for 15. At 82-3 at lunch, the momentum seemed to be shifting.

Despite Paul Harrison falling shortly after lunch, runs continued to come for Ashtead, as Harper and Conor Young put together a strong partnership – Young providing the runs, and Harper the stability. They put on 58 runs over the next 15 overs, and when Young finally fell for 43, the Stags had reached 146-5.

Sam Homes and Harper continued to score well, and it took the return of John Rogerson to break the 35 run partnership. This precipitated a collapse, however, as Harper departed after scoring his half century, and 5 wickets fell for just 20 runs to leave Ashtead all out for 201. Quick bowling by the Beddington bowlers meant that 54 overs would be returned.

The Beddington innings got off to a very rocky start when Jordan Thomas claimed a wicket in the very first over. From there, the visitors looked untroubled for a few overs, as neither Thomas nor Friedlander could make any further impression on the hosts’ batting line up.

However, just as in the first innings, the introduction of spin saw wickets fall again, as a quick couple fell and the score became 44-3. No further wickets then fell before the tea interval, with Beddington languishing at 53-3.

Following the break, the visitors tightened their grip. More specifically, Friedlander destroyed the heart of the batting order. First, a simple edge to wicketkeeper Harrison. Next ball, edged to Young in the slip cordon. Third, a plumb LBW. Hat trick!

The following over saw Friedlander take his fifth and final wicket, and at 59-7, the game was up. The return of the spinners hastened the hosts’ demise, and with two sharp run outs, the game was done, with Beddington rolled for a paltry 71 all out.

The 24 points for Ashtead, along with other results going their way, puts them up to third in the Championship table. Next week sees Sutton travel to Woodfield Lane. Sutton currently lie 9th in the Premier Division, in the relegation zone, but they recorded their only 2016 win to date against Ashtead in a 50 over contest in May. The Stags will be looking for revenge.

Also this week, the Stags are in action again on Thursday as they host Beddington in Round 3 of the Surrey T20. With this win, and the crushing victory over CCW in the last round, Ashtead will confident of a straightforward passage to the quarter finals. Join us then.