Well deserved win for 2nds

Ashtead hosted neighbouring Epsom on another cool and blustery "summer's" day. Epsom won the toss and put the Stags in to bat. Solid batting by Gary Martin (40) and Sam Homes (32)including a 48 run partnership took Ashtead's score to 85 before Homes was lbw to Robert Anderson with Martin caught a few overs later. However the mid order partnership of Sam Castle (35) and Will Pereira moved the score on quickly. Pereira made his 50 off 43 balls before finally being stumped by Allan Fairlie-Clark off the bowling of Greg Hughes in the 53 over. The declaration came shortly afterwards and a target of 211 was set.

The star of Epsom's bowlers was Greg Hughes who bagged 6 Ashtead wickets for 66 off 16 overs.

Following a short stoppage for rain early in the Epsom innings, their available overs were reduced to 44. Tom Dunn and Will Pereira bowled economically and Simon Feeney was lively behind the stumps. 3 early wickets saw Epsom on 17-3 before a partnership of 53 from Greg Hughes and Andy Hewitson got Epsom back on track. Hughes was bowled by Alex Culff for 20 only to be replaced by another determined batsman in the form of Robin Maslin. A further 48 runs were made before the return of Dunn to the bowling finally dislodged Maslin (26)lbw and the score was 118.

Although the winning target of 211 still looked distant, the 175 necessary for a winning draw was well within Epsom's grasp. However the Stags' bowlers had other ideas and in the space of 3 overs, 3 wickets tumbled for no more runs. Tom Dunn bagged his 4th wicket and the prolific Hewitson was finally bowled by Sam Homes for 60. Suddenly the game had been turned on its head.

Some resistance was put up by Nasir Essa, hitting 4 fours in quick succession, but it was too late for Epsom and the tail crumbled cheaply with 2 more wickets for Dunn, who finished with the enviable figures of 11.1 overs, 6 maidens, 6 for 16.

Well done all and lets take the fight to Wimbledon nest week.