The weather was fine. The cricket was fine. And the result was mighty fine for the Ashtead stags too, as they opened their league campaign with a 47 run victory at the defending champions East Molesey in Round 1 of the 2025 Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division (note the new name for the best and biggest league in the country, after a merger of multiple leagues in the winter).

The Stags won the toss and elected to make first of a very hard, dry wicket, but which always gives something for the bowlers to enjoy. And, despite dropping an early wicket, the innings moved along at a steady pace. Pranav Khera and Dan Geddes saw off the early overs with boundaries coming regularly, and as the pressure mounted, the Moles seemed unable to find any options.

The innings became more nip and tuck over the middle overs, as every time Ashtead advanced their scoring rate, the hosts would strike back with another wicket and halt the charge. Khera would eventually depart for 41, and Geddes for a measured 54. When Adam Thomas left the crease, 15 overs remained, and the Stags had reached 142-4. The platform had been set for a big finish.

By this point, two explosive batters were at the crease. At one end, Conor Young, a regular fixture for the Stags over more than a decade. At the other, overseas pro Simon Keene. Both are well known for their quick scoring and brutal strokeplay, but they took a measured approach to their innings, keeping their powder dry for a blitz in the final overs. Sadly, Simon wouldn’t get the chance to thrill the onlookers when he was bowled for 19 – but the incoming batter, Sam Homes, had other ideas.

His partnership with Young put on 55 from just 33 balls, with both batters finding the boundary regularly – and at least one ball was deposited over the trees into the Thames! Both Homes (for 31 off just 17 balls) and Young (48 from 53) wouldn’t see out the overs, but the Stags would finish up on 255-7. A stiff target, but gettable if the hosts batted well.

And, for a while, they did. Keene’s opening spell brought the big wicket of Sam Burge (and an overhead catch from Adam Thomas) but thereafter, ex-Italy international Marcus Campopiano and ex-Guildford man Oli Soames would both build comfortable innings and set the platform for a real assault later in the game. It would take some sharp bowling from Sam Hunt, and catching from Tom Homes, to remove Campopiano for 38, but at drinks, the Moles were cruising on 106-2.

Drinks is so often the harbinger of change, and so it proved again, with Tom Homes (bowling this time) removing the overseas pro Clyde Reeves-Fortuin for 15. This precipitated a collapse of a seemingly potent middle and lower order, first from both the Homes boys, and then the return of Keene, Hunt and Adam Thomas. The pick of the wickets in this squeeze was that of Moles captain Nick Stevens, sent back to the clubhouse by a stunning diving catch from Keene.

By the time someone could be found to stay with Soames for more than three overs, the required rate had reached 10 an over and it was always going to be a fight. Soames had now reached 88, and Toby Porter showed some grit to stay with the long-serving batter to his century, off 121 balls. It was too little, too late, however, and by the final over, 49 runs was the gap between the teams. Adam Thomas (yes, him again) added the final nail in the coffin with a spectacular throw from the deep to run out Soames for 115. East Molesey finished on 207 all out – a 47 run victory for the Stags.

This result obviously sees Ashtead as one of the five teams with a win on the opening weekend – and top of the table (if only alphabetically). Next week sees Ashtead host Esher for the second match in the opening set of limited overs matches. Esher lost a very hard-fought match against newly promoted Dulwich in Week 1, so it should be a good fixture.

You can follow the Stags on X (@ashteadcc), our website (www.ashtead.play-cricket.com) or on our YouTube channel (Ashtead Cricket Club Live). We look forward to next week! Join us then.