Beddington CC vs Ashtead CC, 25 May 2013, Beddington Park

However, there was still plenty of encouragement for Ashtead supporters, chiefly in the form of 2013 recruit Conor Young. The 20-year-old led his team with both bat and ball, and with better support from his more senior teammates the result could have gone Ashtead's way.
Young's top-scoring innings of 47 runs was a solitary beacon for Ashtead in an otherwise disappointing batting performance. Whereas the top order failed to lift the run rate above 3.0 in the first 25 overs, Young scored freely at no. 7 with a fine array of strokes including five 4s and one 6.
Young found perhaps his best support from no. 10 Tom Deighton, whose enterprising 26 not out was vital in securing a bonus point for Ashtead.
But the victory points belonged to the deserved Beddington. The home side was clearly more accustomed to the pace of its wicket, amassing an ultimately impressive total in the conditions.
Again, it was Young who shone for Ashtead in Beddington's innings, taking 2 of the 5 wickets at a cost of just 27 runs from his allotted overs.
Young's best support came from the Stags' ever-consistent spin attack, led again by Tom Deighton and young understudy Tom Homes who each took 1 wicket with excellent economy.
Crucial to Beddington's 206 runs was anchoring opener Antony Down, who batted the majority of the innings for 59 runs and laid the platform for his middle and lower order to flourish in the last 10 overs. Tom Caines and Tom Bevan were particularly effective in that respect with 33 and 39* respectively.
Thus it was Beddington's superior batting performance which proved the difference. Nonetheless, there were promising signs for the Ashtead 1st XI and one senses that their top order's return to form holds the key to success in the coming weeks.
This week Ashtead hosts Dulwich CC at Woodfield Lane.