When the going gets tough, it takes a leader to stand up and be counted. And so it proved at Woodfield Lane this week, as a fighting 78 from Mark Stoneman led Ashtead to an impressive 65 run victory at home to Spencer in Round 15 of the 2026 Surrey Cricket Championship Premier Division.

Ashtead won the toss, and elected to bat first on a surface that looked good for bowling throughout the day, but with an outfield that would reward strokeplay and ambition if the batters could get past the fielding ring. But the early overs proved hard going, with former Stag Harshil Patel in the wickets immediately. The rest of the opening PowerPlay continued to be a challenge, and culminated in Patel’s second wicket. 34-2 after 10 overs.

The rebuild came from young Surrey star Adam Thomas, and erstwhile skipper Stoneman. Together they rode out the seamer storm, and they looked to capitalise on the visitors’ varied spin attack. They found early success, with Max Hunt hit out of the attack after just two overs, but they found debutant Will Skone and Spencer skip Gus Grant much harder to work through. Just when momentum appeared to be swinging back towards the hosts, Thomas would be bowled for 33 and then overseas pro Lachie Stackpole would be caught on the fence trying to bludgeon a loose Grant ball. 97-4.

Stoneman would now be joined at the crease by Dan Geddes, and together, the second rebuild was on. Both batters made sensible choices, minimising risk whilst taking on the bowlers when the opportunity presented itself. As the first batting point (at 150 runs) neared, and with 15 overs still to face, Ashtead looked set to produce an imposing target. That momentum would be stymied slightly by some good bowling and some big attempted strikes, but the charge of the final overs saw Ashtead reach 235. Stoneman finished on a critical 78, with useful innings throughout the lower order.

Spencer had proved that the surface was good for the spinners, and so the Stags opened the bowling with leading wicket-taker Tom Homes alongside Adam Thomas. The spectators knew that the most dangerous and attacking batters were opening, and the first few overs saw a barrage that none of the bowlers could answer. 48-0 off 6 was an ominous start.

Wickets would be crucial, and when Sam Hunt clung on superbly to remove the visiting overseas pro for 27, the chink in the armour had been found. Sam Homes compounded the misery a few overs later, enticing Hugo Darby into a shot that couldn’t clear Stackpole to dismiss him for 31, the Stags had their opening.

Spencer didn’t go down without a fight through, and a long third partnership started to cause some concern for the home fans. 96-s at just before halfway was still a launchpad to go for victory. But another Stackpole strike, followed up by Tom Homes getting amongst the wickets with a trademark LBW, dented the charge. The return of Thomas and Stoneman to the attack ripped out the middle order, and all too soon, Spencer were staring down the barrel of a hefty defeat.

Grant and Patel, so effective with the ball in the first innings, dragged the total past 150 to secure another point, but by this time, the result was fast slipping away. Tom Homes and Stackpole came back for their final spells to administer the last rites, and the tail fell without much fanfare. All out 170.

Back-to-back wins for the Stags at a crucial time of year elevates Ashtead to 5th in the league table, albeit with a very big gap ahead of them, but a growing gap towards the relegation spots. Next week sees the boys in green and gold travel to Wimbledon for another limited overs fixture. Wimbledon took the winning draw in June, but last year’s limited overs result saw a rain-affected 8 wicket victory for the Stags.

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.