Ashtead and Sutton tie in epic thriller

Thankfully, Sutton’s ground managed to avoid the worst of Hurricane Bertha and produced a splendid venue for an enthralling contest. Ashtead, having won the toss and elected to bowl, selected a side with two 3rd XI debutants and an average age of 19.

Aaron Rose and Christian Burgess opened up with probing opening spells; Rose in particular causing Jamie Griffin problems from round the wicket – think Flintoff to Gilchrist… ish. The breakthrough came after Henry Elburn induced a loose drive from Jayasekaran (19) and was well taken by Taylor Rice-Burnett at cover. For the first wicket, the second – with an identical shot from the same bowler, caught again by Rice-Burnett, leaving Sutton 88-2 of 20.

After a couple of early exploratory overs from Will Culhane, James Hill kept it tight, leaving Sutton well set on 105-2 off 25 at drinks. The experimental legspin of Tom Culhane couldn’t provide the breakthrough, but the returning Burgess burst through the defences of the Sutton middle order. Further wickets from Will Culhane halted the attempted Sutton charge, and, with some impressive death bowling from Burgess, Elburn and Culhane (W), Sutton stumbled to 210-9 off their allotted 50 overs.

The Ashtead reply started circumspectly with Sam Gale departing early. This brought Seb Stewart-Taylor to the wicket, joining debutant Rice-Burnett. Together, they started to increase the run rate with Stewart-Taylor in particular showing some elegant strokes. The powerful Rice-Burnett departed for a brutal 32, before Stewart-Taylor ramped and scooped his way to his first senior 50 of the season.

Stewart-Taylor’s striking was a joy to behold, but after he missed a full ball on 55, attempting to sweep the wily left arm swing of Steve Hall, Culhane (T) came to the crease to join Tim Newhouse. A settling in period was swiftly brought to an end by a glorious straight six from Culhane, shortly before he mistimed a pull to depart for 19.

Patrick Murray joined newboy Newhouse, who by this point was using his brain as well as his height advantage to move the ball into the gaps and pick up the scoring rate. Newhouse reached his maiden 50 with another boundary, and was eventually dismissed for a crucial 53, with the score on 183-5 from 44 overs. This meant that 28 was required off 36 balls.

Burgess was sent in with the instruction to blast a quick few runs, but, when he fell for 1 and Culhane (W) was run out for 5 with a surprising piece of sharp fielding from the usually-not-so-sprightly mid-off, it was left to the Rose to accompany the valiant Murray (24), who had reduced the equation to 2 required off the last over…

Four dot balls and a wicket followed, requiring Henry Elburn to hit the last ball of the match for 2. Alas, a single was scrambled and the game was tied. From a strong position in the run chase, it was disappointing not to come away with at least 9 points, but the 5 for the tie is better than it could have been. There is still 40 points to play for this season, and with the fight shown in this match, there is no reason why anybody should give up hope of playing in the Premiership next season.

Tom Culhane 11/8/14