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Stansted Park v Ashling 24th May 2009 After last week's debacle in the wind and rain, what a contrast! The sun shone brightly on the beautifully mown outfield in the shadow of the stately home at Stansted. Birds sang, small furry animals rushed busily about and strutting peacocks lent an air of decadence. Days like these were made for cricket. Ashling won the toss, and the wicket looked full of runs. The rusty Fergus MacLehose never really got into his stride and was caught behind for 11, while opening partner Nic Loubser started to build a steady innings. New recruit Matt Battans may have lacked technique, but his eye was good as he blasted an entertaining 20, all in fours. Henry Slatter (0) and Chris Cranna (8) didn't stay long and suddenly Ashling were in trouble at 68 for 5, but skipper Paul Colley's tactical masterstroke turned the match. He recognised that the best thing he could do would be to skilfully guide the second ball of his innings onto his stumps for a duck, thus bringing Tom Balingal to the crease. In what seemed no time at all Tom had made 66 including five sixes and six fours, the unfortunate Clutterbuck going for 61 in his eight overs. Loubser finally went for a maturely compiled 53, and there was still time for a cameo from youngster Charlie Matthews who hit a quick 24 not out before the teatime declaration. Matthews, Balingal and MacLehose pinned down the Stansted openers in the early overs of the reply, but it was wickets that Ashling needed. It quickly became obvious that Stansted were not going to chase the runs and would take some winkling out. Ashling eventually got tantalisingly close, but couldn't quite pull it off with the ninth wicket falling off the last ball of the day. Loubser's 5 for 27 in eight overs was the bowling performance of the day, with Fergus MacLehose taking 3 for 15 in three separate spells.
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