Ashtead put up strong resistance but Wimbledon’s class shines through

With four games of the season remaining and top-of-the-league Wimbledon up next, Ashtead’s omens were not looking too promising to avoid the drop. Upon finding the wicket was so green it would have been more at home on a tennis court, Ashtead won the toss and elected to bowl at Shrewsbury House School’s playing fields.

Christian Burgess and Aaron Rose opened up, and after some strong striking from Wimbledon captain Wills, Rose made the breakthrough, bowling Clifford for an inglorious duck. Wills (28) continued to strike the ball imperiously, and upon being bowled by Rose (2-36), had taken the score to an aggressive 45-2 off 8 overs. Henry Elburn replaced Burgess from the Pavilion End and recovered from an early onslaught from the slashing Van Bylevelt to initiate a Wimbledon wobble.

After 16 overs, the home side were sitting comfortably on 95-3, but then Clarke (15) was caught behind and Elburn soon also had Urquhart (1) caught at short-cover to put the brakes on the Dons’ attack. After being frustrated by being denied his beloved boundaries, Van Bylevelt (52), was run out attempting a run after a failed LBW appeal, and Stacey was LBW to Nick Williams for a golden duck the very next delivery. Wicket-keeper Harvey (4) was then bowled by Elburn (3-53) to leave Wimbledon trembling at drinks, on 115-7. Break of serve to Ashtead.

However, the Dons are not top of the league for no reason and they were determined to regain their early advantage. From the tight stranglehold that Ashtead had fastened, the Anand twins managed to keep their wickets intact and increase the scoring rate. Burgess was brought back in to the attack to stifle the runs, but it wasn’t until the introduction of Alex Culhane (1-12) that a further wicket was taken. Eric Anand was caught and bowled for a vital 50, and when Carlton Anand (41) was well held in the deep by George Tyson off the deserving Will Culhane (1-35), Wimbledon had rescued the score to 217-9 off 45. Some lusty blows from the tail meant a total of 264-9, significantly more than looked likely midway through the innings. First set to Wimbledon.

Sam Gale and Taylor Rice-Burnett started tightly for the Stags, with the scoring restricted by the probing opening bowlers – nothing loose was served up. Rice-Burnett (8) departed, bringing George Tyson to the crease. Tyson, with a point to prove, struck the ball well. He dominated a partnership with Gale (12), spreading fielders to all corners of the ground and toying with the home side’s bowlers. Unfortunately, wickets began to tumble and a procession ensued. First Gale was bowled by a beauty, Culhane (T) was then LBW, Tyson (41) mistimed a drive to mid-off, Parkinson was well held in the slips, Rose was caught and Culhane (W) was pocketed by point. 66-1 had become 83-7, and it was very nearly game, set and match.

Williams (8) and Culhane (A) showed some much needed guts and application, and proceeded to frustrate the favourites. Culhane in particular was brutal on anything loose, enjoying the opportunity to show off his topspin forehand by depositing five boundaries through midwicket. Eventually, Williams was beaten in the flight, Culhane (26) was caught behind, the hobbling Burgess was bowled, and the match was Wimbledon’s.

Ashtead were bowled out for 124, resulting in a 140 run loss. The Stags now trail third from bottom Banstead by 22 points, with three games to go.

Tom Culhane 19/8/14