Ashtead notch up another impressive win

Put in to bat by the visitors, the early wicket of Michael Sanderson for a duck in the first over may have given Dulwich hope of making inroads into Ashtead's batsmen..but not for long as masterful innings by Dominic Sibley and John Vaughan-Davies put on a 115 run partnership before Vaughan-Davies was finally caught for 53. Sibley continued to stroke the ball with ease around the ground and seemingly amble without effort between the wickets, ably supported by Ashtead's middle order batsmen. A momentary lapse of concentration, or the over eagerness to reach a century in successive weeks, and a ball scooped into the air was eagerly gathered in by David Knightbridge and Sibley was gone for 96.

There followed the sound of balls hitting roofs as Connor Young, Stew Cameron and Jonno Sole peppered the surrounding properties with sixes and with 39 boundaries in the innings a formidable total of 311 was amassed in the Stags 50 overs.

The frugal bowling of opening bowler Sole in particular pinned Dulwich down, but it took to the 11th over before the first wicket fell with the run out of Chris Stone for 10. Captain Michael Currey and number three Stuart Ferguson put up some fight and took advantage of any chances for boundaries, but with the score on 72 Currey finally fell lbw to Tom Deighton for 37. Ferguson continued to put up a fight, but Ashtead's bowlers soon put paid to any support he may have had. With wickets shared, two each to Sole, Deighton, Tom Homes and Sibley, none of Dulwich's other batsmen managed more than 10 runs. With Ferguson finally bowled by Sibley for 85 (including 10 fours and 3 sixes) with the total on 169, all hope had gone for the visitors. The final two wickets fell for no further runs and the Stags had notched up another impressive win.

Next week away to Chipstead will be the real test.