Jeffrey hits right note but Stags are beaten

Surrey Championship Premier Division

Ashtead 185-8

Guildford 188-4

ASHTEAD were again on the losing side as they travelled to Woodbridge Road.

The hosts won the toss and asked Ashtead to bat, and it quickly became apparent that this was the right choice – the Stags found it hard going during their innings, although a flurry late on pushed up the score.

The opening pair of Michael Sanderson and Ben Jeffrey were immediately under pressure, as the experienced bowling of Jonathan Noland and Chris Coombs proved difficult to play.

Sanderson went in the third over, caught behind by Alex Nash for four.

Then Viv Paver fell lbw to overseas Carman Mapatuna for three and at 32-2 after 11, Guildford looked impressive.

But the fight was not over, and as Jeffrey and Andy Michael began to build a solid partnership, the bowlers became increasingly frustrated.

Jeffrey reached his 50 off 76 in the 23rd over, and the 50 partnership came up in the 25th.

However, this was where Guildford struck again, as the returning Noland got Jeffrey, caught by Harry Stephens for 51.

When Chris Douglas fell lbw to Nolan for two (87-4), the Stags looked shaky, but a confident innings from Luke Mursaleen brought the innings back on track.

He went for 20, caught off Mapatuna by Tinoi Christie, and brought David Burton out to the middle.

He soon went as well, lbw for seven off Ed Young, and with the score at 131-6 after 41 overs, the pace would have to rise to set a defendable target.

Michael then shepherded the side home, ending on 65 not out off 97 balls, with a remarkable 18 off the bat in the final four balls of the innings, Ashtead finishing up on 185-8 off the 50 overs.

Guildford’s openers Tarique Kalam and Robert Jones were initially unsettled by Burton and John Vaughan-Davies, the Ashtead opening bowlers.

But they soon found their stride, and the run rate accelerated quickly. Although Kalam fell lbw to Vaughan-Davies, for 15, the score still raced to 48-1 after 10.

This was partly due to Ed Young, who was instantly on the attack, and produced plenty of boundaries on his way to 41 off just 29 balls. He was aided and abetted by Jones, who also found his attacking flair, and together the pair made 66 between them.

Burton eventually stopped both batsmen, Jones bowled for 32 and Young bowled for 41, but by now the score was 104-3 off 17 overs – 82 off 33 was going to be a challenge to defend.

And so it proved – although Harry Stephens fell for just one, caught by Mursaleen off Tom Deighton’s first over, Mapatuna and Alex Nash brought Guildford home to a six-wicket victory, Mapatuna not out for 55 off 65, and Nash 18 off 41.

This Saturday, Banstead visit Woodfield Lane for the penultimate week in the championship.

Banstead are fourth, looking to improve, and were impressive in the declaration-style fixture at Avenue Road.