Ashtead V Bank of England

Bank of England B v Ashtead 5/7/2015

Overcast with a few showers... Certainly gave the pitch a bit of juice.

Tom Perkins (capt) won the toss and chose to bat.

Straight and aggressive bowling by Bank gave early return as our top 3 batsmen didnt have a chance to get going. Sideways movement accounted for Dan Geddes who edged a ball that seamed. Both Toby Arnet and Tom Perkins were undone by balls stopping in the pitch offering straight forward catches. Looking to rebuild after Alex Gillespie was caught quickly, Sam Jenkins (27) and Josh Bates (12) formed a valuable partnership pushing our score towards respectable. After Josh was bowled, Ammar Mir departed trying to push the score on. A cameo from Toby Rackett (16) allowed another partnership with Sam who eventually was caught, allowing Freddie Pitman to score 2 off 2 to push us over 100. Fergus Ames and Dougal Wentworth did not bat.

At one stage the boys could have capitulated and been bowled out for 60 but great credit to them to turn that it to a working total.

Chasing only 101 Bank were up to 35 from 5 overs and well on course for an early finish, but slowly the boys found line and length making it more difficult to score. Pressure started to be applied by good fielding and wickets started to fall at regular intervals. Even though 4 of Banks batters managed double figures they never managed to push on. Nip and tuck until over 16 where Bank scored ‘plenty’ and we thought it was all over. Enter Dougal for 1 over taking the very dangerous no. 6 and only conceding 1 run, then the impressive Fergus who took 2 wickets from over 18 and another under the pressure of the last over. Unfortunately a slog to leg went for 4 runs and won Bank the game on the penultimate ball.

In all 8 bowlers were used and all performed admirably, wickets were shared by 6 of those bowlers.

Really great to see respect for the opposition and a positive attitude and energy in the field. Bearing in mind there were only 4 of the regular A team playing much credit must go to the lesser lights who were asked to stand up and be counted, and they did !