1st XI start season with convincing win

Surrey Championship Division 3 1st XI
Ashford CC 1st XI - 181-7 (50 overs)
Oxted and Limpsfield CC 1st XI - 182-2 (33.5 overs)
Oxted and Limpsfield CC win by 8 wickets

Oxted and Limpsfield 1st XI under the new captaincy of Simon Jackson started their 2016 campaign away at Ashford CC, who came down from Division 2 last year. Ashford’s captain won the toss and elected to bat on what was a very good track, on a scorcher of a day.

Lee Mcilwraith and Jackson (0-28) opened with the ball, bowling tight lines that restricted the Ashford openers. Mcilwraith eventually trapped Berressem in front for 0 after 3 overs of playing and missing.
Ned Lack and Andy Starling continued where the opening attack left off. The other opening bat; Mansfield, could only be patient at the other end, managing only to nurdle the ball around every so often. Lacks perseverance eventually paid off and he claimed two wickets (2-24), one well caught at 1st slip by Starling, to leave Ashford at a worrying 40-3 at drinks.

After the break, Starling (1-43) and Jay Mastin (1-48) continued; both picking up wickets as Ashford looked to push on.
As the innings came to its conclusion, Mcilwraith returned to the attack and claimed 2 further victims to finish with 3 wickets (3-26).
Mansfield continued to hold the Ashford innings together and although dropped 3 times, he carried his bat for 102 not out as Ashford ended on 181 for 7.

Oxted started their reply with Stuart Fletcher and Nadeem Durrany, the latter immediately taking Ashford’s opening attack on. When Durrany was out for an entertaining 38, including a huge six over mid on, Oxted had already made their way to 61.
Skipper Jackson joined Fletcher at the crease and both continued to reduce the deficit. Fletcher was in glorious form as he knocked Ashford to all parts. When he eventually parted for 82, Oxted only required 23 runs.
Starling (4*) looked to finish the game with Jackson who was now moving through his expansive repertoire of shots.
Jackson (52*) hit the winning runs with over 16 overs remaining, while also bringing up his own half century. Raising his bat to the sky in memory of Adrian St John, an Oxted and Limpsfield 1st XI player who tragically lost his life in Trinidad at the beginning of April.

Natterbox Man of the Match goes to Stuart Fletcher for his superb 82. Next week Oxted host Cheam. 12:00 at Master Park.

That was for you AJ.