Last ball thriller

Ashtead 2nds travelled to Sunbury pleased at the prospect of a game uninterrupted by the downpours of late. Sunbury won the toss and electing to field were no doubt thrilled to claim the early wicket of Gary Martin for 2. However Ashtead’s other batsmen were well up to the task and eager for a win. Kamran Mirza stood firm and patiently added to the score making his first 50 for Ashtead and ultimately reaching a well-earned 84, before eventually being caught behind off one of Sunbury’s two main bowlers Saran Kalsi. Good support was given by Tom Laudy, Hayden Storey and captain Josh Pickering, so the Stags score had reached 179-5 by the time Mirza was out in the 50th over. Jake Martin entertained the spectators with a quick fire 36no off 18 balls before the captain declared on 223-6 off 53.5 overs.

After tea Ashtead took to the field hopeful of some early wickets and Aaron Rose and Jake Martin obliged, dispensing with both of Sunbury’s potentially dangerous opening bats early on. However Conor Fulton and Darren London then dug their heels in and rattled Sunbury’s score along to 109 before Fulton was caught in the deep by Jake Martin off the bowling of Connor Caprano-Wint for 52. Strong innings were also had by Elliott Shaw and Harveer Mahajan and by the time Shaw was out lbw to Rose in the 39th over Sunbury’s score had reached 170-6. Eight overs remained for Ashtead to get 4 wickets or Sunbury to get to 195 and gain a winning draw, as the target for a win now seemed too far. The next wicket of Mahajan was a family affair with Gary Martin taking the catch off Jake’s bowling and this was followed by two more wickets for Rose. Sunbury had reached 184-9 and 4 overs were left.

It seemed that the last two Sunbury bats would doggedly hold out to the end and a huge cheer came from the Sunbury supporters when their team reached the target for a winning draw with just one over left. Number 11 Saran Kalsi hit a 4 off the penultimate ball and it seemed that it would not be Ashtead’s day, but Rose ran in with intent and Kalsi edged the final ball into the safe hands of wicket keeper Tom Laudy and the Stags had won. Five wickets for Aaron Rose, with the others shared, but most of all it was a great team effort to the end.