Weekend of 07/07/2007 to 08/07/2007

After the three previous league games had been washouts, Ashford 1sts travelled to Rainham looking forward to actually playing some cricket on Saturday. Rainham skipper Tom Peters won the toss and decided to bat on a drying pitch that looked like it could deteriorate further as the afternoon wore on.

Alex Watson struggled to find his rhythm after the long lay-off but Simon Taylor was as accurate as ever and made the early breakthrough trapping Plumridge LBW. When he then had Austin caught at short mid off, the home side were struggling to get their innings going. Kevin Taylor and Peters batted sensibly against some tight bowling but Peters became Taylor's 3rd wicket just before the drinks break when he was well taken by Tegg at slip. Rainham's Taylor, after batting for 25 overs, then mistimed a drive to be caught for a patient 46 and the score stood at 109 for 5.

With Alistair Neale now bowling his off-spin from one end, he accounted for the dangerous Goodwin but the late middle order decided to attack fiercely. This should have paid off for the Ants, but four dropped chances saw Rainham make the most of the last ten overs accelerating their score to 201 in the 50th over. Dangerfield (38no) and Swaine (26no) rode their luck well to post this score. Taylor finished with 3 for 29 and Neale 2 for 54.

Ashford lost Liam Tegg early in their reply but skipper Julian Day looked in good form and, with Shannon Fattore, kept the run rate up at above 6 an over for the first 10 overs before the introduction of Peters and Taylor. This pair bowled well, making full use of the low pitch and the run rate slowed to 4 an over. After putting on 70, the stand was broken when Fattore (23) was caught at mid off but Day continued to reach his half century. Day was then well caught at mid on for 61 and both John Brazier and Gary Sutton fell in quick succession to catches behind the wicket. Peters only went for 20 runs in his 10 overs but was replaced by Austin who, after a wayward first over, bowled Si Taylor to leave the Ants precariously placed requiring 80 runs with only 4 wickets remaining. Stuart Paine stepped up the plate and superbly worked the ball around, taking easy singles and putting away the bad balls. After 2 big sixes, he deservedly reached his first half century of the season but the pitch was getting no better and low bounce accounted for Spencer, Neale and Watson to leave the final pair of Paine and Nad Campbell requiring 24 off the last 5 overs. Campbell batted sensibly, getting forward to everything and giving the strike to the in form Paine who clipped a four off his legs and then played two exquisite cover drives to the boundary to seal the victory in the 47th over. Paine finished on 62no.

The 16 points sees Ashford consolidate their 3rd place position with Linden Park visiting Ball Lane this Saturday to face an unchanged Ashford side. With a trip to current leaders Gravesend the following Saturday, it could prove to be an interesting couple of weeks for the Town side.

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Rainham 201-6 (50 overs) (S.Taylor 3-29, A.Neale 2-54, L.Tegg 1-36)

Ashford 204-9 (47.4 overs) (S.Paine 62*, J.Day 61, S.Fattore 23)

Won by 1 wkt

A very disciplined batting and bowling performance saw Ashford totally outplay Chestfield in all areas and claim another vital victory in their push for promotion. Asked to bat first, Chestfield were soon in trouble with Colin Paine getting the early breakthrough and this was quickly followed up with Ben Ealham grabbing the second. Runs were hard to come by for Chestfield with Paine, Ealham and Mohsin Raza all bowling very tightly and it was no surprise when Raza also took two wickets in his second spell. Ben Spencer was then introduced into the attack and after his first over went for 12 he deceived Chestfield danger man Andy Bennett 48 with a swinging yorker. He continued to pitch the ball up allowing it to swing and very soon accounted for the rest of the Chestfield batsmen to finish excellent figures of 5-35, three of them being caught at mid-off by Mohsin Raza.

The final Chestfield total of 144 was never enough to worry the Ashford batsmen with Skipper Darran Wood leading the charge and taking the attack to the opening bowlers. His quickfire 36 set the innings up beautifully and then a very patient stand between the ever-improving Assan Raza and Australian James Anthony saw Ashford to within 8 runs of victory before they both fell in quick succession. 17 year old Raza again played a very mature innings in making 52 and Anthony gave good support in reaching 40 to ensure Ashford ran out comfortable winners by 7 wickets. This win keeps Ashford well in the promotion hunt and they will be looking for maximum points when they visit Old Colfeians this Saturday.

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Chestfield 144 all out (48.5 overs) (B.Spencer 5-37, B.Ealham 2-19, M.Raza 2-39)

Ashford 145-3 (47.1 overs) (A.Raza 52, J.Anthony 40, D.Wood 36)

Won by 7 wkts

Match report not available.

Ashford continued their excellent form on Sundays with a victory over Headcorn. Ashford batted first with openers Liam Tegg and Craig Buckham quickly taking the attack to the Headcorn bowlers. When Buckham fell for 16 Assan Raza then carried on his good form and after 13 overs Ashford had already rattled up 100. Tegg then was caught for 52 but Raza went on to make an excellent 70 with great support from James Anthony 13, Chris Senior 43 and Simon Taylor 23. A final total of 249-6 was always going to be a challenge for Headcorn and with Nigel Crannis grabbing a couple of early wickets Ashford were soon on top. Leg spinner Dean Clark then bowled his best spell of the season and destroyed the middle order with some great flight. The one bright spot for Headcorn was 16 year old James Barker who made an excellent 57 before being bowled by Clark. With Phil May also picking up a wicket it was left to skipper Liam Tegg to finally take the last two wickets with just one over remaining to give Ashford victory by 66 runs.

Ashford 249-6 (A.Raza 70, L.Tegg 52, C.Senior 43)

Headcorn 183 all out (No bowling stats available)

Won by 66 runs

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