Weekend of 05/05/2007 to 06/05/2007

After the disappointment of 2006, Ashford 1st team started the 2007 league campaign with a convincing 7 wicket win over Rainham at Ball Lane on Saturday.

Bowling first on a beautiful Adrian Llong pitch, Ashford soon had Rainham on the ropes. Nad Campbell (1 for 11) made the early breakthrough and when Simon Taylor replaced Watson, Ashford really applied the pressure. Taylor bowled an exemplary line and length and the Rainham batsmen struggled to find the gaps in the field. When young off spinner Alistair Neale joined the attack, Rainham really got behind the clock. Taylor's accuracy paid off with 3 LBW's and a caught behind, and when he had Morris well taken by Sutton at second slip he got his deserved fifth wicket finishing his 15 over spell with 5 for 27. Spinners Neale and Liam Tegg took a wicket apiece and Rainham struggled to 133 for 8 off their allotted 50 overs. Only Goodwin (35) and Morris (25) made any inroads into the Ashford attack.

In reply, Ashford's openers Julian Day and Liam Tegg punished anything short or over pitched and raced to 70 without loss off the first 10 overs. Tegg was caught and bowled for 29 but skipper Day raced to a 44-ball fifty to set his team up for a win. When Day fell, LBW for 68, Stuart Paine (17 not out) took up the mantle and despite the loss of Sutton for 9, he and John Brazier (5 not out) saw the Ants home in the 28th over.

It was a great team effort, especially in the field where the home side gave nothing away and bowled tight lines.

Click here for

Rainham 133-8 (50 overs) (S.Taylor 5-27, N.Campbell 1-11, L.Tegg 1-19)

Ashford 135-3 (28 overs) (J.Day 68, L.Tegg 29, S.Paine 17*)

Won by 7 wkts

Ashford started their new league campaign with a visit to Chestfield who won the toss and asked Ashford to bat first. A disastrous first two overs saw acting skipper Neil Tegg and Aussie James Anthony both dismissed for nought, and when Tony Rolfe fell shortly afterwards for 9 Ashford were deep in trouble at 17-3. A combination of youth and experience then steadied the ship with 17 year old Assan Raza batting superbly at one end and Chris Senior his normal entertaining self at the other. These two took the score to 74 before Senior was bowled for 22 and Robert Dagger then played a couple of great shots before being caught for 13. Simon Berry then joined Raza and these two continued to bat sensibly until Raza was out for a magnificent 56 - his highest league score. Colin Paine then joined Berry and these two raised the scoring rate considerably with Paine smashing three sixes in his quick fire 34. Berry was out for a vital 37 and, with a late blast from Dean Clark, Ashford reached a respectable total of 213.

The experienced opening bowling attack of Colin Paine and Chris Senior tried all their "old tricks" but were unable to secure the vital early breakthrough, and with Chestfield's Andy Bennett looking in good form signs were looking ominous for Ashford. However with the score on 64 Senior had Newton caught for 24 and immediately picked up another wicket giving Ashford great hope. The game then changed when after reaching 53 Bennett was left high and dry by his partner and was run out with the score on 93. Paine then deservedly grabbed two quick wickets and suddenly the game swung in Ashford's favour. It was left to the youngsters to clear up the tail with Matt Nash (2 for 6) and leg spinner Dean Clark (2 for 2) causing the damage with James Rodway also chipping in with a wicket. Chestfield were bowled out for 145 leaving Ashford to claim the maximum 20 points.

Acting captain Neil Tegg was delighted with the performance and with seven of the Ashford side aged 18 or under this was a fantastic result and highlights the talent now starting to come through at the club.

Click here for

Ashford 213 all out (45.3 overs) (A.Raza 56, S.Berry 37, C.Paine 34)

Chestfield 145 all out (37.3 overs) (C.Senior 2-37, M.Nash 2-6, D.Clarke 2-2)

Won by 68 runs

home     ·     officials     ·     fixtures     ·     players     ·     colts     ·     social     ·     join     ·     find     ·      sitemap