Ashtead v Merrow - WSL Cup

Ashtead U12 v Merrow WSL Cup 17th May at Ashtead ACC WL

On a bright and sunny morning Tony Arnett won the toss for Ashtead and asked Merrow to bat on a green wicket with low bounce.

The opening bowlers of Euan Mason and Jed Brockes where instantly into their stride with Euan making the first breakthrough and was backed up by some very good fielding from Matthew Shadrack which resulted in a run out with his throw directly hitting the stumps. The accuracy of Ashtead attack was maintained by all as the bowling was rotated. Some good ground fielding made runs hard to come by and assisted the bowlers in maintaining the pressure on the batsmen which contributed to a steady fall of wickets. Mathew Shadrack and Tom Perkins both took 2 wickets and Euan Mason and Paddy Crossan 1 each. The accuracy of the Ashtead bowling attack was emphasises by only 4 wides being conceded during the Merrow innings. The stand out contribution for Merrow was a 30 (not out retired) from H Kirk which saw Merrow finish with 67 for 7 in their 20 overs.

A cautious start from Ashtead in reply and some accurate bowling backed by a very high standard of fielding, which included some very good catches, resulted in a batting collapse England could match. At one point in the innings Ashtead found themselves with 10 runs on the board and seven wickets down. Some patient batting from Tom Perkins which was ended by another fine catch brought an element of relative clam to the Ashtead ranks although the game was still very much with Merrow. The last pair of Jed Brockes and Euan Mason came together in the 14th over with the score at 31 for 9. With both showing good patience and treating each ball on its own merits the Ashtead score started to increase predominantly due to 3 fine fours from Jed Brockes. Despite a valiant and patient effort from the last pair Jed was well caught for 14, as he chased the runs in the last over. This left Ashtead 7 short with 3 balls to spare.

Whilst a loss the game was played in a good spirit and the last wag of our batting tail showed with a little patience it is not over until it is over !

Thanks to Brendan Crossan for scoring (via the iPad), Ollie Graham for umpiring for the whole match, Jon Bates for helping yet the boys ready to bat and all of the parents who helped out on the Bar B Q it was very much appreciated.