Rain ruins chase as Ashtead finish firm

The worst-affected season in a generation was only ever going to end one way. Rain was the victor at Woodbridge Road as the final match of Ashtead’s 1st XI campaign drew to a close – but not without some fireworks first.

Guildford won the toss and elected to bat, on a flat pitch with an outfield that looked lightning fast. There were clearly plenty of runs to be had, and so it proved. Nathan Tilley, the 16-year-old opener with plenty of runs for club and county in 2016, started the charge immediately. His colleague, Jack Cunningham, had been known for his fast and fiery technique, and they plundered the early overs.

Such was the situation, that Stewart Cameron came into the attack in the 4th over. The Stags’ skipper, Tom Deighton, and John Vaughan-Davies were all thrown the ball in the first 20 overs, and none could find the breakthrough. Meanwhile, Cunnigham made his 50 in just 35, and then took just 23 more to find another 50. The moment of the day came with a well-struck six that left the ground via a tree, and clouted a rather expensive car outside. A delay of 10 minutes, arguing over the ball, then ensued.

By the end of the batting PowerPlay, taken for overs 16-20, Guildford had reached 155-0. Paul Harrison and Conor then marked their runs, as they attempted to staunch the flood of runs. This tactic finally paid dividends, as Cunningham top edged to keeper Hayden Storey for 132, from just 84 balls. 210 had been added for the 1st wicket, and a platform for a huge score had been set.

James Burke, one of Guildford’s pro stars, was not able to capitalise, and was bowled by a Harrison change-up delivery for 1. This brought the dangerous overseas player Lincoln Edwards to the crease, and he proceeded to make hay while the clouds gathered. His 50 came up off 43 balls, as the return of Deighton proved extremely costly, and with a flourish of the bat, Tilley reached his century, off 137 balls.

If Edwards’ first 50 was classy, his second was frightening. The return of some pace, along with Cameron’s mediums, proved the wrong choice as boundaries were flayed to all corners and beyond. The 100 came up off 59 balls – the second 50 in just 16 – to give Guildford three centurions in the same innings. Wickets late on prevented the total reaching 400, but a total of 382-4 was undeniably a fantastic result.

With a mountain to climb, the Stags chose an aggressive policy to begin their innings, sending in Young to join Michael Sanderson, and together they went on the offensive from the off. However, the rain would always be a factor, and the players were brought off after just 3 overs of the innings – with the Stags 25-0.

Nearly half an hour later, they came out again, yet could manage just 10 more balls before the heavens opened and the downpour arrived. Ashtead finished on 39-0, and looked to have a start for a potentially astounding chase, which was denied them.

This rounds out the 2016 season for Ashtead. All four Saturday teams managed to maintain their league positions, so next year will see the 1st, 2nd and 3rd XIs in their respective Premier Leagues, and the 4th XI in Division 1.

The top run scorers of the year were Stewart Cameron and Michael Sanderson, both finishing equal on 397 runs. Most wickets fell to overseas bowler Jordy Thomas, with 29, and Guy Harper claims the catching win with 8 snares in the season.

The 2017 league season will begin on Saturday 6th May, with coverage of the pre-season games reported in full. Join us then for another season of enthralling action from the top league in Surrey. Join us then.