Ashtead 254-8 vs. Newdigate 217-9

A depleted Newdigate side took on Ashtead in their annual friendly encounter at Ashtead's home ground.

After winning the toss and electing to bat Ashtead got off to a solid start with boundaries coming at will off the bat of Dixon and Mumford before they were both out to the bowling of Paul Bettesworth. This brought Gary Mason and Chris Latham to the crease and they both took the home team in to a commanding position. At the 20 over halfway point the home team was 113 for the loss of only 2 wickets and looked set to put up a huge score on the board. Mason went on to bring up his hundred for Ashtead and received good support from Steve Donelon (24) and Tom Reed (34). The introduction of Jack Bowley stemmed the flow of runs and he finished with excellent figures of 4 for 34 in his allocated 8 overs. Ashtead finishing on 254 for the loss of 8 wickets in 40 overs.

In reply Newdigate was in trouble early on losing a wicket in the second ball of their innings. Under 15 colts Tom Ball and William Bennett then put on a very useful partnership of 72 in fifteen overs before Bennett was out for an excellent 50. The visiting side lost 4 further wickets soon after to the bowling of S Donelon who finished with figures of 5 for 36 in his eight over spell. Tom Ball held up his end to bring up another senior team fifty this year and received good support from his colt team mate Henry Warne (35 no) and Des Harris (34). Newdigate fell short of the target but the performance of all the juniors in the game must be credited as they put up a good fight to make the result a respectable one. Ashtead winning the match by 37 runs.

Some of you might be interested to see Ashtead's report.

Ashtead 254 for 8 off 40 overs (Mason 103, Bowley 4 for 36)
Newdigate 217 for 8 off 40 overs (S Donelan 5 for 36)

This Sunday, Newdigate made the trip over to ACC in what is always is a keenly fought contest by two clubs with lots of history and exceptional youth policies.
Captain Vickery won the toss again and decided to bat first on a good surface and with a lightning quick outfield.

Gavin Dixon played pleasing well with much freedom, hitting regular boundaries in his breezy innings of 28 before popping back a return catch to Bettesworth, who then removed fellow opener Rob Mumford bowled for a rare low score of 13.

With Ashtead 52 for 2, the innings was in the balance but Gary Mason returning to the club and making his Sunday debut embarked in a free-flowing partnership with all-rounder Chris Latham. Latham as against Stoke D'Abernon was very unfortunate to get out when well set by smashing a full toss off youngster Bennett straight to Bettesworth who took a great catch and Latham went for a quick-fire 23. Tom Reed kept the run-rate ticking over and offered great company to Mason who went past his fifty in even time.

Young leg spinner Bowley applied the brakes to the innings with his leg spin and bowled Reed for 34 and also got rid of Steve Donelan for a stylish 24 out to a good catch on the square leg boundary.

Gary Mason neared his hundred but was dropped twice on 96 before eventually claiming his century off just 105 balls.

He was eventually out stumped by the highly promising Bowley for 103 and with a flurry of quick singles and sacrificial wickets Ashtead ended of a par score of 254 for 8.

With the conditions now humid and muggy, it was now ideal conditions for Ashtead's new ball attack of Latham and Vickery. Latham got the big breakthrough of last year's match winner Ruky Wickremasinghe out lbw for a duck in the first over. Latham and Vickery swung the ball plenty and both Bennett and Ball both played and missed plenty of times. But the young batsman to their credit battled through and saw off the opening bowlers with Latham being especially unfortunate.

Drinks break came and the game was finely poised but after the break things were to change. Bennett after reaching his 50 edged Steve Donelan through to Nik Blundell who took a fine catch standing up.

Steve Donelan then swung the match completely in Ashtead's favour by getting Perrin (7) to drill one to short extra cover, bowling youngster Miller for a duck, Penfold lbw off a quicker one for 1.

Ball was still there showing calmness and composure in the midst of the collapse.
Steve Donelan got his deserved fifth wicket by bowling Bettesworth for 4 and finishing with the excellent figures of 8-1-36-5.

Captain Vickery with the game pretty much won decided to experiment with other bowlers and after reaching his fifty Ball hit Mumford to short cover here Steve Donelan continued his excellent match by taking an excellent sprawling catch.

Harris enjoyed himself smashing a quick 34 before Pete Donelan bowled him to become Ashtead's leading wicket taker this season passing Vickery.

Warne and Bowley despite some late hitting couldn't quite get near Ashtead's target.
Another superb Ashtead win but credit to Newdigate who have some highly promising young players to watch out for in the future!