Two in a row as Ashtead lose a close game again

Twice in a row for less than 20 runs. Ashtead, once again, came up agonisingly short in Round 4 of the 2018 Surrey Championship, as they lost to Sutton by 16 runs in a close game at Gander Green Lane.

Sutton won the toss and elected to make first use of a good wicket that would offer something for both teams throughout the game. The opening stand made heavy work early, as Harshil Patel kept the bowling tight and returner Chris Douglas caused a few early problems.

It would be the introduction of spin that claimed the first victim, as Tom Homes claimed an LBW to leave the hosts 41-1. Three overs later, it would be the other opener to depart, with a smart keeper catch off Lalit Bose. 54-2 off 18.

The next 20 overs or so would see the quiet accumulation of runs. Harry Allen would knock the singles around, exploiting the field and opening the gaps. David Murphy, the ex-Northants player, on the other hand, showed prodigious use of the leg side as he gained runs at around a run a ball.

Bowlers would come, and bowlers would go, and it would be over 44 before another Sutton wicket would fall. And it would be David White, Ashtead’s overseas player and stand-in skipper, who would use his spin bowling to remove both set batsmen in 3 balls. First to go was Murphy, holing out in the deep for 71. Two balls later, Allen would attempt a reverse sweep and find the hands of Douglas for 53. At 183-4 with just 6 overs to go, the Sutton innings could have run out of steam.

However, some powerful batting from Gary Outram and Aman Shinwari would see the hosts reach 235-6 off the allocated 50 overs. Meanwhile, David would claim his third wicket and Harshil Patel would finally earn a solitary wicket for his toils.

For a successful chase, someone would need to stand up and make a big score. And yet, once again, early wickets were falling as Shinwari’s sling action proved troublesome to handle. Guy Harper joined White and Bose in losing their wickets in the opening 10 overs, and at 36-3, the middle and lower order would need to contribute again.

The re-building work began with Conor Young and Ben Geddes. Young took it to the bowlers, while Geddes built a steady innings. The spinners, Allen and Freddie Boys, were not able to bring a breakthrough, and at mid-time drinks, Ashtead were 103-3 off 26 and setting a good basis to attack.

After the break, Sutton struck immediately, with Young departing for 36. Sam Homes came to the crease and continued in his predecessor’s vein, attacking the bowling and keeping the scoreboard moving. With 11 overs to go, Ashtead were 157-4 and setting up for the final tilt at the win.

It was not to be, however, as the return of the opening bowler and overseas player Richard Sillars aw three wickets fall in 3 overs, including the embattled Geddes for a hard-earned 50. Surely the tail could not win from here?

They couldn’t – but they gave it a good go. Hayden Storey, Harshil Patel (with an excellent innings for a second successive week) and Chris Douglas all drove the scoreboard forward, including 3 hits all the way for 6. Seb Stewart would be LBW off the final ball of the innings to leave Ashtead 16 runs shy.

That unhappy defeat sees Ashtead languishing in 9th place at the end of the first portion of 50 over cricket. Next week sees the Stags return to Woodfield Lane for the start of the 120 over cricket, where they take on Sunbury. Sunbury are towards the bottom of the table but scored an excellent win over East Molesey in Round 4. Join us then