We never do it the easy way. This was the story as the Ashtead Stags opened their 2026 account with a tense 2-wicket win against Esher, in the Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division.

Ashtead won the toss, and elected to field first, on a day that looked right at home for batting (a hard, dry surface, and a fast outfield). And it would be the hosts that drew first blood, with Kiwi overseas pro Lachie Stackpole removing fellow overseas Travis Norris for 1. Stackpole and Stag stalwart Ben Sidwel would form a deadly combination in the early overs, causing enough trouble that contracted pro Nikhil Gorantla would also fall during the opening 10 over PowerPlay. 36-2 after 10.

Enter Sam Hunt. The left arm seam bowler, with a left-hand / right-hand combination to bowl at, immediately started to cause some problems – and soon, the wickets would come (including the prized wicket of opener Ollie Hunt, fresh off a century for Surrey 2nd XI in the week, for 31). Esher were now 63-5 after 17 overs and in deep trouble.

But the visitors’ batting line-up was formidable – so much so, that at 6 and 7 strode Surrey pro Laurie Evans and up-and-coming Alex Chambers. They ground out a slow innings to begin with, seeking to get the match back on track, but as the confidence grew, so did the strokeplay. The team 100 came up in the 28th over, the 50 partnership soon after, and by 35 overs, the platform was set at 141-5.

Back came Hunt. And out would go Chambers, snicked off for 46. Esher skipper David Brent would continue working well with Evans, until the return of Stackpole provide too tempting. After dispatching a pair of deliveries to the ropes, Evans went for one too many and struck out to a fielder on the boundary for 53. The Esher tail would wag hard, swinging merrily, but more wickets for Stackpole, the young buck Ollie Gillespie, and a sharp return run out for Sidwell finished Esher off for 231.

The chase got off to almost the worst possible start when Dylan Church, fresh off a century against Reigate Priory last week, was bowled for 2. This brought Conor Young to the crease, and much of the Ashtead innings would circulate around him. He started slowly, building his way into his work while Will Christophers attacked hard from the other end. Losing Will for 28, to a very sharp catch, was a blow, but at 50-2, honours appeared to be fairly even.

Young was joined by Stackpole, and together, the runs began to flow. Young was upping his rate well, and Lachie found the boundaries relatively easy to come by. Drinks would come and go (a long break than normal, courtesy of Lachie hitting the ball into the road), and with 20 overs to go, the Stags needed just 103 runs. All seemed straightforward.

But, as all our readers should know by now, the Stags never do anything easily. The slow bowling of Freddie Harrison and Nick Smit would prove the undoing of 5 batters over the next 15 overs – including Stackpole, who reached 50 with a big hit and then promptly fell next ball – and Young, who was drawn into a false shot and caught a few yards inside the boundary for 53. 135-3 became 151-6.

The lower order would have to finish the job – and they came up trumps fantastically well. Tom Laudy, long captain of the Stags’ 2nd XI, made an attacking 27. Ben Sidwell, long known as a ball striker, added 29 of his own. Skipper Tom Homes and Sidwell saw the team to within 10 runs, and then Sam Hunt (who else, it was his day) swung mightily and finished the job with 4 balls to spare.

That victory obviously puts Ashtead top of the table, alongside the four other winners today, and long may it continue! Next week sees Ashtead travel to East Molesey for Round 2 of the league. The Moles recorded a frenetic 1 run victory at Guildford to open their account for 2026, but last year’s match with the Stags saw a 47 run victory for the men in yellow and green.

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.