Winning streak continues as bowlers squeeze Ashtead

The 3s made it five wins from their last six with another strong bowling performance. This time Ashtead felt the squeeze, having been inserted on a pitch that still held a little moisture from overnight and morning God-globules.

Another fine opening spell from Elliot Lodge (3-24) reduced the visitors to 31-3 but as long as former Llama Ahson Bukhari was at the crease, a big total remained on the cards. Ahson batted for more than half the innings but the dangerous opener never really got going, finally succumbing to Kyle Haughton (3-25) for 36 from 73 balls.

Kyle bowled really well, having been called up for his first 3s game in a couple of years, and spin twin Max Coyle (okay, maybe spin son based on the age gap) also kept things very tight with 1-26 from his 10 overs to ensure Ashtead never got any momentum.

Having been strangled to 107-8 from around 35 overs, Ashtead's tail wagged a little before debutant Ahmer Javaid (1-10) and James Brickley (2-29) mopped up proceedings with the score at 142 - the final wicket coming to an outrageous diving catch from Coyle.

Openers Jordan Bunyan and Fraser McGuinness made light work of the new ball. Fraser was in particularly imperious form as the pair put on 66 in 11 overs before he flicked one off his pads straight to square leg for 37. Bunyan continued the task at hand, bringing up a fine and composed 50, ably supported by the ever-serene David Loft (36*). Bunyan decided to get out on 55, leaving just enough time for the skipper to come in and ruin his average by getting out with 2 to win. But Lofty and Jacob McLoughlin (0*) saw us home for a very comfy victory which keeps a slim chance of second place alive.