Demolition completed as Ashtead run continues

Four in a row for the Ashtead Stags. This was the story leaving Woodfield Lane, as Ashtead wreaked revenge on Wimbledon, taking a convincing 80 run victory in their last home game of the 2016 campaign.

However, it would be a shorter game than originally planned. Heavy rain on Saturday morning had created treacherous conditions, and with intermittent showers causing further problems, nearly 90 mins of playing time were lost. It would be a 40 over game when play finally got underway.

Another toss won by Tom Deighton, another game opened by the hosts. And this was the moment that Michael Sanderson seemed to have been waiting for. He went out extremely hard in the early overs, stealing almost all of the strike. Guy Harper, by contrast, had an easy opening spell, spending most of his time at the non-striker’s end.

The opening PowerPlay came and went, and the runs kept coming. 50, then 60, then 70. Sanderson reached his half century, off just 61 balls, in the 15th over, and with Harper beginning to charge as well. Bowling changes seemingly had no effect, as spin could not find an answer either.

It took the exploits of Ryan Patel, in the 18th over, to remove Sanderson for 54. Rhodri James ensured no further wickets would fall before the mid-session drinks, 95-1 at 20 overs, a good platform.

The charge continued after the break, but it was soon stunted by the loss of Harper for 32 and James for 21 in 3 overs. This brought the power batsmen to the crease, Paul Harrison and Conor Young, and as they began to wind up, a high score looked possible.

Despite the loss of wickets at the other end, Conor Young stepped up to the plate, and with some enormous shots, he reached 50 off just 34 runs. These much needed runs fired the Stags to a final total of 213-8 off their 40.

Early wickets would be vital for the hosts, yet despite several loud appeals, none came in the first few overs. However, in over 6, Ashtead overseas bowler and leading wicket taker Jordan Thomas trapped Nick Welch lbw for 12. His following two overs also brought wickets, and by the end of over 10, Wimbledon were 36-3 off 10 overs.

Shortly after this, the fourth wicket fell to the seam of Warwick Symcox and Ashtead had the visitors on the ropes. Cue the fightback. Matt Spriegel, ever a dangerous batsman, and wicketkeeper James Brown took the fight back to the Stags, and by drinks, they had put on 40 between them. 92-4 was behind, but in the fight.

But it was not to be, as the spin duo of Tom Deighton and Tom Homes killed off the resistance. Deighton was the wicket taker, claiming 5 scalps as the lower order and tail imploded with very little resistance. He finished on 5-17 as Wimbledon were bowled out for 133 with 8 overs to spare.

This week keeps Ashtead in 6th place in the Premier Division, but the gap is closed significantly to both Wimbledon and Normandy, who also lost today. Next week sees the Stags take the fight to Reigate Priory.

Priory lie second in the table, with a win absolutely vital to take their championship challenge to the final week. The first game between the sides was abandoned, but Ashtead had their opponents 21-3 at one stage before the rain arrived. A great game in prospect. Join us then.