A 4th XI’s season got off to a poor start with the first game being abandoned after just 26 overs, this was followed by defeats at Guildford and West Byfleet. The turn around game was against Englefield Green at home. Chasing 255 Jas Rehncy and Ikie Gill shared a stand of 125 in 25 overs – after Ikie (55) was run out Jas went on to make 73*. Excellent supporting innings from Hasib Butt (39) and Tahir Butt (47) ensured the game was won with an over spare.

This initial success was followed by a win against Old Rutlishians where Safdar Butt scored an amazing 88. The next game was a real tester against strong opposition in Netherne. On the back of consecutive wins the boys were on a high going into the match. Chasing 223 Jas Rehncy (47*) and Hasib Butt (97) batted excellently to ensure that the target was reached with eight overs to spare.

A friendly against Ealing saw the first centurion for the 4th XI in 2006, Umair Aziz (101). This victory was followed by wins against Temple Bar, newcomers to the Wey Valley League Kennington Park, and the West Byfleet.

The crunch game was the final match of the season; a win would have ensured that Ashford was crowned champions of the division 1 in the Wey Valley League. However, this was not to be. With both the two young Butt brothers missing a somewhat weakened 4th XI side took on an opposition side that included a ringer who scored 165 out of the team’s 262 total. Despite Safdar Butt’s (36) effort to steady the ship Ashford fell 52 runs short and as a result finished the season a creditable second in the table.

In review, we played 14 matches, won eight, suffered three defeats and endured three no results due to bad weather. Twenty-six batsmen were used in the 11 games completed. We had great batting performances from the skipper Hasib Butt who scored 450 runs in 11 innings at an average of 45. Although he featured for the team late in the season Jas Rehncy scored 275 at 45.83. New boy Tahir Butt scored 347 runs, averaging a phenomenal 86.75 runs per innings. Other half-century makers included: Arafat Butt (53); Safdar Butt (88); Ikie Gill (55); Saqib Ansari (56); and not forgetting centurion Umair Aziz (101).

A total of 22 bowlers were employed in the 11 games played, all of who put in good performances. Arafat Butt arrived late in the team and only played five games but he made his mark and showed quality taking 14 wickets at an average of 7.36. Ali Siddiqui played the most games and deserved his 18 wickets at an average of 13.33 and a cost of 3.33 runs per over. The up and coming young bowler of the side was Ifnan Anwar who took 11 wickets at an average of 17.91.

To sum up 2006 was a very competitive season for Ashford’s 4th XI, which was enjoyed by all who played for the side.