Weekend of 04/08/2007 to 05/08/2007

Ashford were looking to consolidate their position at the top of Division 3 of the Kent League when they travelled up to South London to take on strugglers Wickham Park. Travelling with no umpire meant Ashford had to forfeit the toss, with the home side electing to bat on what looked to be a good wicket and in hot sweltering conditions.

The Park got off to a flying start with 25 off the first 4 overs untill Alex Watson got the deserved breakthrough in the sixth over with the score on 29. The run rate slowed rapidly with the introduction of the experienced Simon Taylor and Cambridgeshire leg spinner Craig Buckham. Taylor bowled his consistent line and length while Buckham toiled with batsmen bowling three consecutive maidens putting the pressure on the batsmen throughout his first spell claiming the wicket of the West Wickham main-stay Gunning for 3 with the score on 57. With the pressure building on the home side wickets fell at regular intervals and with the introduction of Liam Tegg the home side fell well short of the mark on 152 all out with Block (48) and Wilson (42 not out) the only contributors, thanks to fine bowling from Buckham with 4 for 47 of 14 overs and Tegg, 5 for 35 off 11, ably supported by Taylor who was unlucky to finishing wicket-less for a paltry 32 off his 15 over spell.

In reply the "Ants" got off to a great start with Tegg and John Brasier puting on 53 for the first wicket before Brasier was bowled by the off spin of Bowles for 13. Tegg continued to punish any loose delivery untill he became the 2nd wicket to fall, lbw for an excellent 70 when a delivery from Hatch kept very low and was caught on the crease with the score on 102. The Ashford side suddenly found themselves under a bit of pressure with the fall of two more quick wickets. Gary Sutton was adjudged to have been caught behind for 0 and then Shannon Fattore ran himself out for 14 leaving Ashford on 107 for 4. This then bought to the crease Stuart Paine and Simon Taylor to steady the innings putting on 38 for the 5th wicket before Paine fell lbw to Hatch for 20. This left Taylor (18 not out) and Ed Spencer (2 not out) to see the side home in the 34th over.

With close rivals Homesdale only managing a winning draw, it means the "Ants" increase their lead at the top of the table by 9 points. Ashford take on Walmer at Ball Lane on Saturday hoping to avenge their only defeat of the season so far back in June.

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Wickham Park 152 all out (48 overs) (L.Tegg 5-35, C.Buckham 4-47)

Ashford 153-5 (34 overs) (L.Tegg 70)

Won by 5 wkts

Ashford kept up their promotion challenge with an emphatic victory over Upchurch at Ball Lane on Saturday. Asked to bat first, Upchurch were soon one wicket down with Colin Paine making the early breakthrough. A steady partnership by Trevor Collis and Steve Parker then put Upchurch back in the hunt but the introduction of young spinner Alistair Neale and slow left armer Stefan Pichowski saw Upchurch collapse from 101-1 to 127 all out. Neale extracted great turn and bowled with good accuracy to grab 5-24, whilst Pichowski bowled with great control to take 3-20, with all Upchurch batsmen struggling against the dual spin attack.

Ashford came racing out in reply with Skipper Darran Wood smashing the opening bowlers to all parts of the ground and Neil Tegg accumulating steadily. The two openers made the game safe for Ashford putting on 107 for the first wicket before Wood was caught for an excellent 66 and Tegg fell shortly after for a solid 34. Stefan Pichowski and Tony Rolfe then saw Ashford home without any further problems with the home side running out 8-wicket winners. This win keeps Ashford in second place and they will be looking to consolidate further when they visit Bexley this weekend.

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Upchurch 127 all out (43.1 overs) (A.Neale 5-24, S.Pichowski 3-20, C.Paine 1-36)

Ashford 128-2 (22 overs) (D.Wood 66, N.Tegg 34)

Won by 8 wkts

Match report not available.

Ashford Sunday side continued their excellent season with a comprehensive victory over Great Chart. Star of the day was undoubtedly 17-year old Ashford skipper Liam Tegg, who cracked a brilliant 176 off only 70 balls sharing a first wicket partnership of 235 with his father Neil. Liam was in commanding form all afternoon and, whilst the Chart bowlers tried hard, they were unable to stem the flow of his runs as he plundered 12 sixes and 20 fours with numerous straight drives that on many occasions cleared the main road. With Neil Tegg retiring on 63, Simon Berry 24 not out and Andy Smith 20 Ashford reached 313-3 at tea.

Great Chart made a valiant effort but wickets fell at regular intervals with Nigel Crannis and young James May grabbing two wickets each with Simon Taylor taking two excellent catches. Matthew Boulden made an attacking 37 before leg Spinner Dean Clark then took three wickets and with one wicket each from Phil May, George Hanson and James Crannis assisted by a very sharp catch from Andy Smith, Great Chart were bowled out for 125.

Ashford 313-3 dec. (L.Tegg 170, N.Tegg 63, S.Berry 24*)

Great Chart 125 all out (No bowling stats available)

Won by 188 runs

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