Reigate Llamas too strong for Ashtead Stags

Reigate won the toss and put Ashtead in to bat. The early loss of Sanderson for one was a blow but Hayden Storey and David White then proceeded to put together a 147 run partnership before the second wicket fell. They both batted calmly and picked the bad balls to dispatch to the boundary leaving the hosts wondering how to break through. It was Michael Munday who eventually claimed the wicket of White, caught in the deep by Reece Topley for 78 (nine fours and a six) with the score on 157. The bowling of Munday and Angus Dahl pegged back the runs and Ashtead only added another 31 runs in the next 9 overs before Storey was caught by Munday off Dahl for 83 (11 fours and a six).

Ben Geddes, Harri Aravinthan and Conor Young all made useful contributions with the bat for Ashtead. Young hit a quick fire 47 off 37 balls (two fours and 3 sixes) before finally being caught by Andy Delmont off the bowling of Munday in the 63rd over with the score on 267. Ashtead’s tail could do little and the remaining wickets fell for the addition of only 8 runs. Ashtead were all out for 275 in 64.4 overs, certainly setting a higher target than the hosts had been expecting. The best of the bowlers for Reigate were Michael Munday with 4-67 off 17.4 overs and Luke Beaven 4-68 off 15.

A quick turn around and Ashtead took to the field with hopes of keeping the Reigate batting in check, taking wickets and perhaps even being the first team to topple the unbeaten Llamas. Reigate had bowled their overs quickly and there were at least 59 overs for them to reach the target or for Ashtead to bowl them out. For the first 25 overs the score ran neck and neck with the Ashtead innings and the Stags had claimed the wickets of both openers Richard Oliver (38) and Sam Hall (18). From then on Reigate batsmen Andy Delmont and Jake Lehmann became more and more comfortable at the wicket and Ashtead’s bowlers toiled in vain to get either of them out. Lehmann reached his century first (off 98 balls with 11 fours and 2 sixes) in the 50th over with the score on 239.

There were still nine overs to go and with only 2 wickets down, Ashtead’s aim now must be to restrict Reigate’s run making so they could claim a draw. Not surprisingly Lehmann and Delmont had other ideas and in the first ball of the 57th over with 2 runs needed, Delmont drove the ball to the boundary claiming the win for Reigate and securing his century (10 fours and 2 sixes). The Llamas were ecstatic, the Stags subdued and hoping for better luck against Sunbury next week.