Ashtead feel the heat as Dons move up to summit of division

DESPITE hard work in sweltering conditions, Ashtead lost by 104 runs to new Surrey Championship Premier Division leaders Wimbledon on Saturday.

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Ashtead lost the toss and were made to field first on a hot June day, with a wicket that looked good for scoring runs but might offer a bit to the bowlers.

Yet it was the Dons' top order that made the early running. A couple of half-chances early did not go to hand, and as the pressure built so the skipper turned to the Stags' spin duo of Sam and Tom Homes who were in for a lot of overs as the day progressed.

Drinks came and went after the first hour, and still the opening partnership kept growing albeit at a much slower pace as the heat began to tell.

It would be Tom Homes that struck first, removing Tim Lloyd with a smart LBW for 51. Any respite that might have brought the visitors was short-lived, as the wicket brought Jack Boyle to the crease and the batting superiority continued.

Neither spinner could find the breakthrough and as lunch came around, the hosts reached 134-1 off 36, in total control of the game.