After a miserable result at East Molesey the previous week, the Stags were looking to redeem themselves against Esher and gain some points to at least stay in touch with the middle order in the league table.

The visitors won the toss and put the Stags in to bat. Run scoring was slow and when the first wicket fell in the 9th over, (Jevan Kher lbw to Joe Lavender for 8), the Stags had only put on 19. Ragu Aravinthan and Pranav Khera put on another 39 before Khera (18) was caught by Nicholas Smit off William Means. Soon afterwards, Aravinthan (33) was unlucky to be run out by a direct hit from Ben Townsend and captain Mark Stoneman was caught by Krish Patel, leaving the Stags on 73 for 4.

Fortunately Simon Keene was on form and hit a quick fire 47 off 43 balls (including nine fours) before being given out lbw to Esher’s most successful bowler of the day, David Brent, who took 3 for 24 off 8.3 overs plus 3 run outs on his watch. Few of Ashtead’s other batters managed to make a significant contribution and they were all out for 138 after 40.3 overs. A meagre score that, with 79 overs to bat, surely Esher would achieve without undue trouble.

Despite tidy bowling from Simon Keene and Sam Hunt, the visitors seemed to be cruising with a score of 47 (over a third of the target) with no loss after 9 overs. Enter Jake Martin to the bowling attack (complete with mud-stained shirt from diving unsuccessfully to avoid being run out earlier) and two wickets tumbled in his first over, including opener Sheridon Gumbs ,caught behind by Jevan Kher for 17. Two more quick wickets in the next two overs saw Krish Patel (Esher’s highest scorer with 25) caught by Martin off Keene’s bowling and then, with roles reversed, Keene caught Smit off Martin. And suddenly Esher were on 55 for 4 after 12 overs. Another wicket for Keene, 59 for 5 and suddenly the home supporters started to believe that a victory could be possible.

Sam Hunt returned to the bowling attack and soon bowled Freddie Harrison (14). Esher 87 for 6, then Martin took his fourth wicket and it was 87 for 7. Another 10 runs then 2 more wickets for Hunt. The Stags needed just one more wicket for victory and it was Jake Martin completing his fiver bowling Esher number 11 Joe Lavender. Esher had made just 108 off 27.5 overs and Ashtead had won by 30 runs. A victory that had seemed nigh on impossible earlier on and the Stags were euphoric.

A 24 point win for the Stags in the last of the long format games and a move up to fourth in the league table. The mid table is very tight with just 13 points between fourth and eighth places. Next week sees Ashtead visit Sunbury, who currently sit seventh in the table, but only 12 points behind.

You can follow Ashtead CC’s 1st XI matches live on our website (www.ashtead.play-cricket.com) or at our YouTube channel (Ashtead Cricket Club Live). We look forward to next week! Join us then.