Thanks to Dick Belcher for the report and Dom Murtagh for the photos:

Captain George Ealham lost the toss with Banstead choosing first go on a used track.....don’t worry George’s day was to get better....much better.

A late change to the Llamas line-up accommodating Surrey seamer James Taylor into the ranks, and it was James Taylor and Fraser Sheat bowling the 1st 9 overs as Banstead openers eased to 45.

Captain George introduced Dickie Stevens into the attack, replacing James Taylor and the change brought immediate success as Dickie (with a wicket maiden) removed the off stump of ex-Ashtead Ragu Aravinthan (8) with Banstead 45-1 in the 10th.

Another bowling change brought success albeit not immediate as Tommy Bates bowled Arjun Gill, one of Banstead’s Surrey contingent, for 5 and Banstead were 70-2 in the 15th.

Another bowling change saw spin at both ends as Michael Munday started his spell with a maiden. Two wickets followed in successive overs as firstly Tommy Bates got his 2nd wicket (10-0-49-2) bowling Banstead’s overseas wicket keeper Patrick Rowe (1) as Banstead were now 88-3. This became 93-4 in the next over as Michael Munday (10-1-34-1) had Harri Aravinthan (another ex-Ashtead) caught by James Taylor for 5.

Harry McInley replaced Michael Munday which completed the Llamas verson of Tom (Tommy Bates), Dick (Dickie Stevens) & Harry but obviously not any old Tom, Dick and Harry. (Sorry couldn’t resist !)

Meanwhile Banstead opener Ayush Patel was seemingly untroubled by the Llama attack as he was joined by another of Banstead’s Surrey contingent in 17 year old Ralphie Albert who has already represented England U19’s. The pair added 66 before Captain George changed the bowling and James Taylor had Ayush Patel out for an excellent innings of 96 (off 101 balls) when he was caught behind by Rory Haughton; with Banstead now 159-5.

The Llamas squeezed Banstead’s middle and lower order with James Taylor tormenting Banstead with short pitched bowling inducing the hook shot which saw Tom Massey take two towering catches on the boundary to dismiss Ralphie Albert (35) and Ben Butterfield (9) as Banstead went from 163-6 to 167-7. They weren’t all short pitched bowling from James as one ball managed to be a (well) over head height beamer which only seriously challenged the local pigeons.

Dickie Stevens back into the attack got his 2nd wicket (8-1-43-2) getting opposition Captain Arsalan Abbas out for a duck caught by Richie Oliver. 193-8 in the 43rd over became 199-9 in the 45th as Fraser Sheat (10-2-38-1) had Paul Byrne (2) caught by Tommy Bates.

The Llamas would have hoped to have quickly finished the innings but Surrey seamer Nathan Barnwell had other ideas ably supported by Tyler Meyer (17no) as overs 47, 48 & 49 went for 15, 12 & 9 respectively to see Banstead onto 240.

The 1st battle of the Surrey Seamers took place as James Taylor (9.1-0-52-4) got Nathan Barnwell (39) hooking only to be caught by yet another Tom Massey catch. Banstead’s final wicket partnership of 41 could well prove to be crucial.

The target was 241 off 50 overs at just under 5 runs an over and Llama openers Luke Haughton, starting with a couple of boundaries, and Richie Oliver began well but in the 4th over Luke (14) guided a ball from Nathan Barnwell into the hands of Arjun Gill at backward point and Reigate were 19-1 at which point Captain George Ealham came to the crease where he was to stay for a long time but we’ll get to that later.

Over 11 saw the start of 22 consecutive overs of spin bowling starting with left arm spinner Paul Bryne (10-0-58-2) who had Richie (9) caught by Arsalan Abbas and then had Harry McInley (2) also caught by Arsalan Abbas as the Llamas slipped to 47-3 in the 13th over. Arsalan Abbas then had Tom Massey (13) caught by Ayush Patel and Reigate were 73-4 in the 20th over still requiring another 166 runs from the remaining 30 overs.

Fraser Sheat joined Captain George Ealham and the pair cautiously took the score onto 136-4 by the 32nd over which was the end of 22 overs of spin. Tyler Meyer finished wicketless but nonetheless with a very creditable spell (10-1-29-0). 18 overs left at about a run a ball to get the remaining 105 runs.

George and Fraser began to accelerate as Fraser reached 60 with 5 fours and 2 sixes. The pair had put on a stand of 114 when Fraser came down the wicket to be stumped by keeper Patrick Rowe from Arsalan Abbas (9.3-0-49-2).

The Llamas were 190-5 at the end of the 42nd over and 216-5 after 46 overs with 25 to win from 4 overs at just over a run a ball. At this point Banstead Captain could have used Harri Aravinthan (5-0-15-0) but instead chose to bring back Nathan Barnwell who had been expensive, finishing with (10-0-66-3).

Tommy Bates had shared in a stand of 47 with skipper George Ealham and had more than held his own scoring 26 from 24 balls before he was bowled by Nathan Barnwell as Reigate reached 234-6 with victory in their sights.

The 2nd battle of the Surrey seamers now took place as Nathan Barnwell (having been dismissed by James Taylor) got his revenge having James (0) caught by Tyler Meyer as Reigate were 234-7.

Time for the captain to take charge.

The 1st ball of the over from opposing Captain Arsalan Abbas was hit for 4 to take George to his maiden Llama century. Dickie Stevens was then run out and the Llamas were 238-8 so 3 more required with just 4 balls left. Rory to the crease although he wasn’t to face a ball as George then hit the 3rd ball of the over for a 6 to see the Llamas home and their 3rd win from 4 games.

George had come to the wicket at 19-1 and 225 runs later he was on 106 (10 fours and 2 sixes) from 128 balls. A measured, patient and brilliant innings.