Resounding win for 2nd Eleven

Ashtead travelled to East Molesey for their opening game of the 2016 league season and winning the toss elected to bat. Stalwart Gary Martin had soon ensconced himself at the crease making measured strokes and taking his time to assess the bowling attack and his fellow batsman. After an early wicket in the first over a promising start was made with a partnership of 65 between Martin and newcomer Sachin Puri before Puri was caught for 29. A couple of ducks followed before Sam Gale joined Gary to rekindle last season’s opening partnership and soon the runs began to flow again. By 34 overs the score had progressed to 141 when Gale was out stumped for 33. Enter Jake Martin to take up the challenge and father and son together added a further 55 runs before Gary was finally given lbw for 79 in the 42nd over with the score on 192. An exciting tail end partnership of 47 between Ross Mc Adam and Fazalhaq Jan ensued with McAdam in particular exciting the Ashtead supporters with a flurry of fours and a six. In the end Ashtead had set a promising score of 262 with McAdam not out 41.

The pick of the East Molesey bowlers was George Cairns with 5-46.

After tea East Molesey took to the field intent on attacking Ashtead’s score, but despite some promising starts from a number of their batsmen, none managed more than 26 runs. Three early wickets, two for Jake Martin and one for Ross McAdam saw the hosts struggling on 43-3. Some resistance was put up by the middle order, but from 143-6 in the 31st over, the tail quickly crumbled and East Molesey were all out for 145 in the 36th over and Ashtead had won by 117 runs. All Ashtead’s bowlers performed well and shared the spoils with three wickets for newcomer Rama Vasantham, two each for Will Culhane, Ross McAdam and Jake Martin and one for Nikhil Waugh.

An early finish and a very promising start to the league season.