ASHTEAD 167
OLD MID-WHITGIFTIAN 114

Another woeful batting display consigned Old Mid-Whitgiftian to a second consecutive league defeat at the hands of Ashtead.

Having inserted their opponents, Mids made the perfect start as Paul Gardner trapped Geoff Kustka lbw off the second ball of the innings.

But classy Kiwi duo Carl Anderson and Andrew Ellis put Ashtead in control with a stand of 61 for the second wicket. On a flat track, the pair made batting look easy and it took a direct hit from Graham Cobbett to break the partnership, running Anderson out for 20. Ellis reached a fine half-century before finally falling to a superb diving catch by Gardner at mid-on.

From here, Mids fought back with some excellent bowling and fielding. Mike and Tony Brugnoli claimed three wickets apiece, as Ashtead slid from 107 for two to 137 for nine.

Yet last pair Stilwell and Rouse gave their side the psychological edge with a vital stand of 30 to set Mids a challenging target.

Mids' fragile top order was exposed once again as Nick Trend and Jessie James were both dismissed within the first five overs. With Matt Kember nursing a hamstring injury and unable to bat in the top five, their prospects of victory appeared slim.

Tony Brugnoli (20) and Robert Warne (21) ground out a useful partnership of 39 for the third wicket to stabilise the innings but the introduction of skipper Andy King brought about a familiar collapse.

King claimed three for eight in his first four overs to extinguish hopes of an OMW victory while Warne was run out.

Mids had no option but to play for a draw and Brugnoli and Carpenter provided some determined resistance.

But three late wickets from Anderson wrapped up victory for Ashtead to leave Mids propping up the table.