With wind in their sails, the Stags almost pulled off the seemingly impossible. This was the story at Woodfield Lane, as Ashtead became the first team to take points off league leaders East Molesey, as they secured a winning draw in a nervy finish to Round 11 of the 2026 Surrey Cricket Championship.

The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first – on a wicket that would likely offer something to both teams, but it did mean that the Moles’ attack would need to take all 10 wickets to win.

And the visitors started well, with an opening partnership dominated by the fast start of Michael Shean. Around him, though, the batting was more measured, but that hesitation was exploited by Surrey pro Adam Thomas, who removed Sam Burge and Jack Scriven with consecutive balls, and overseas pro Clyde Reeves-Fortuin in his next over. 38-3. Stags on top.

The rebuild came from Shean, who showed no signs of slowing down, and Moles skipper Tom Cullen. Runs continued to flow and, with the outfield light lightning after all the dry weather, the fielders had to work hard to try and contain the advance. As lunch approached, the hosts needed a breakthrough badly, and they found one from skipper Tom Homes, trapping Cullen LBW for 24. Shean and Luka Woods saw the visitors through to 115-4 at the interval. Honours even.

Quick wickets were on order after the break, and while Woods would depart quickly, the Stags would be made to toil away for their rewards. Shean was now batting with Italy international Marcus Campopiano, and together, they started to steer the league leaders towards a respectable total. When Shean finally departed, LBW to Lachie Stackpole, he’d made 92, and set Campopiano up to shepherd the tail. The tail would indeed wag – some cameo innings, with plenty of spirit, saw the Moles reach 234 before being bowled out – Thomas ending with a superb haul of 5-43.

It would take patience, assertiveness and guts to chase the target against an attack that had yet to taste defeat, and the early overs proved a stern test – claiming Joe Willis for 4. But, as ever with this match, it would be Adam Thomas that withstood the early barrage. Joined by Dylan Church, the pair weathered the oncoming storm and saw the Stags to tea at 59-1.

After the second break, the pair started to press the accelerator, knowing the run rate would need to pick up if Ashtead were to have any chance of victory. Thomas made his 50 off 72 balls and then departed immediately, and in response, Church dug in to provide the anchor for the rest of the batters to work with. A strong 35 for Lachie Stackpole moved Ashtead to within 70 runs of victory, but a string of wickets threatened to derail all good work.

Enter Pranav Khera, formerly an opener in this team, to up the rate and take the match deep. His vital 27 off 28 balls, partnered with the now-firing Church, saw the required runs reduce to just 8 off 9 balls. But it wasn’t to be. Church would finally depart for 86, bowled off the first ball of the final over, and the two remaining batters only found 4 of the 5 required runs (although not for the lack of trying). Ashtead would finish on 234-8, equalling the Moles’ score, and ending with a draw.

That result, with others around it, sees Ashtead now sitting 7th in the league table – and just 18 points covering 5th through 9th. Next week sees the Stags travel to Sutton for the penultimate red-ball match of this year’s campaign. The match between the sides in May produced a memorable tie, and last year’s red ball fixture produced an extraordinary tie with over 600 runs scored.

Great news for the Stags as well at the T20 Finals Day at Banstead, where Ashtead took home the Edwards Cup after victories against Valley End in the semi, and Sutton in the final. They now travel to Billericay CC in Essex for the Area Final on Sunday 9th August.

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.