Hundred for Sibley, 7 for Deighton, as Ashtead's run continues

As the sun shone and the heat rose, Ashtead remained cool under pressure to record another win in the 2015 Surrey Championship Division 1, defeating a spirited Banstead by 18 runs to cement their lead in the standings after 10 of 18 games.

Ashtead won the toss and elected to bat, on a used pitch that had seen better days and would provide plenty of turn for the spinners later in the game. Initially, the start was promising, with Michael Sanderson and Dom Sibley starting explosively, exploiting the single seamer attack of the hosts.

However, as we all know, the game can change in an instant, and with some early wickets, Ashtead seemed on the ropes. With Sanderson, John Vaughan-Davies and Paul Harrison falling foul of crafty bowling and some interesting bounce, Ashtead were reduced to 48-3 in 17 overs.

The road back into contention was long and hard, but Sibley and Sam Homes proved themselves equal to the task. The batting was slow, but the concentration was evident, and with a run here and there, plus the occasional boundary the score ticked inexorably upwards. With a lack of seam bowlers, the overs flew by, and at lunch, the score had reached 125-3 in an astonishing 40 overs.

After lunch, it was more of the same, until the fall of Homes for 42 during the 50th over. Cue Stewart Cameron. In need of a score, after three consecutive innings below 10, he went on the charge. And the spinners had no answer. Sibley took this as his cue to charge, and between them, they plundered 80 runs from just 12 overs.

During this period, Sibley reached a magnificent century, off 163 balls, but when he reached his 150, it was just 25 balls later. When Cameron got out in the 62nd over, Ashtead were 239-5 and charging towards the close. Just 3 overs later, both Sibley and compatriot Conor Young would be out. But 41 more runs had been added, and the Stags declared on 281-7 after 65 overs.

Banstead had bowled so quickly that they would receive a minimum of 63 overs in reply, and while the early going was slow, the wall was solid. Tom Lancefield and Dan Newton both made steady headway, and the opening fast bowling pair of Jordan Thomas and Will Pereira could find no answer.

Tom Deighton and Vaughan-Davies were brought in to find an answer, and immediately made a breakthrough – Lancefield, snapped up by Harrison at first slip off John’s first ball for 26. However, following this, no further progress was made, and the introduction of Sibley shortly before tea also found no results. Deighton finally claimed his first wicket in the penultimate over before the break, but Banstead seemed in control at 91-2 after 26 when the interval arrived.

As many batsmen will attest, the overs immediately following a break, be it lunch, tea, or even drinks, are often the hardest and most dangerous. And so it proved for the hosts, as the heart of their innings was ripped to shreds by Deighton and Sibley. While Sibley claimed a single wicket, it was the important one, as Newton fell for 44, caught again by Harrison at first slip. Deighton claimed the other three wickets, as the middle order imploded. The fielding during this period was top-notch, with Conor Young particularly snaffling an excellent catch.

All seemed lost for the hosts, with so many overs to bat, and so few wickets left. However, the lower order were determined to try and salvage something, and in so doing, prevent the visitors from claiming maximum points.

Ultimately, they did not succeed, as wickets continued to fall periodically during the next 30 overs. The return of Thomas saw off some belligerent batting, and Deighton completed the win with another excellent catch from Young. Banstead were dismissed for 192 with 6 or so overs to spare.

This win, and other results, see Ashtead hold a commanding 23 point lead at the top of Division 1. Next week sees Ashtead travel to Spencer, a crucial fixture. Spencer are the only team to beat Ashtead so far this season, and lie 3rd in the table. Join us then.