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The1st XI gained one of their best victories of the season so far as they bat league-leaders Ashtead at Graburn Way this Saturday - a strong performance by Molesey and contributions all-round helped for a fantastic win.

After the toss, Molesey were to bat first; the first time this season they had a chance to bat the full 65 overs if needs be. Opening with Nilesh Odedra and overseas Dylan Thomson, the Moles were off to a steady start off the first 15 overs, reaching around 40 until 3 quick wickets fell - first Nilesh, being bowled by the ever-accurate Devon Weekes for 9, then Dylan and Simon Barrett falling to caught behinds. Fortunately, the momentum was recaptured by Sam & Kieran Burge, who kept the scoreboard ticking over up until lunch. After the break, Sam continued on his way to another half-century with Kieran eventually falling for 26 when top edging the spinner to slip after attempting a sweep. With the remaining overs, Molesey ensued a quick run rate as Henry Glynn smashed a quick 38, and the no. 9 & 10 for the day Neil Campbell (19*) & Luke Vanoli-Salmon (17*) ensured that East Molesey reached a total of 265 off of 65 overs. Sam Burge''s 74 was the stand-out innings, however, and proved to ourselves that we can bat through and score a decent total.

East Molesey had around 20 overs to field before tea, and gained a quick wicket through Dylan, who bowled Ashtead''s no. 1 bat, albeit runs were being scored by Ashtead at a good pace. Several overs before tea, Nilesh Odedra and Jamie Glynn entered the bowling attack, and the second wicket was grabbed by Jamie via a straight-forward catch by Luke Vanoli-Salmon. This took the Moles into a commanding position at tea. However, after the break, Ashtead were scoring runs freely, and a partnership between the oppositions batsmen began. Then, Henry Glynn was brought on from the racecourse end and finally claimed the third wicket, from a high spinning catch that found it''s way to brother Jamie at third-man. Molesey were now feeling back in the game, and before long, Henry claimed a fourth and Dylan a fifth, both with Ashted batsmen looping the ball up in the air - Odera with a good catch running over his head. As the Ashtead no. 3 reached his fifty and beyond, it was clear that if he was to fall then so would the Ashtead innings. And, that duly happened, a catch behind the stumps by Sam Burge (one of two) off Henry gave him five wickets. Dylan secured the last two wickets, however, one stunning catch by Vanoli-Salmon at deep mid-off and clean bowling the tailender.

Hopefully Molesey can take this into the rest of the season, and if we could play like this every week, then we would stand a good promotion shout. Great win, well done lads!

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