2023

James Lines flicks one to leg Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 216 all out Lost to Davenham CC 1st XI 218 -3 Ashton once again tasted defeat as they failed to contain promotion chasing Davenham at the Beets. Losing the toss and being asked to bat on a surface that gave early help to the bowlers, Ashton found themselves in trouble as the top order crumbled to 32-4. James Lines led the fightback with a pugnacious 50, before falling after a rain break disrupted the innings. The rain delays did little to help the Ashton cause, with the home team finding themselves struggling at 104-7. But skipper James Marshall and Mark Weighill dug in to restore some respectability to the score. Marshall played excellently before falling in the final overs for 58. Weighill gave great support before also departing in the final push for an admirable 43. The Ashton total of 216 represented a good recovery, although on a pitch which had lost its early venom, it seemed a very reachable target. The Davenham bowling honours were taken by Harry Garner who finished with 3-34. Davenham’s response began in dramatic style, as Jackson Noske clean bowled both openers to leave the visitors rocking at 7-2. But that was the end of the good news for Ashton as batters Regan Johnson and Jason Van Der Meulen took complete control of the game. The Ashton attack failed to bowl with any control, with the exception of teenager Charlie Eaton, who once again showed his immense promise as an all round cricketer. The rest of the Ashton bowling was hit to all parts as the Davenham pair put on 180 runs at better than a run a ball. Davenham eventually strolled to a comfortable win within 30 overs, leaving Ashton once again pondering their lack of options with the ball which has blighted their season. The 1st XI are now in deep relegation trouble and will need something remarkable in the coming weeks to avoid the drop. Cheer was once again restored by Ashton’s 2nd XI who stormed to a win at Urmston. Urmston 84 all out (Jaskaran Cheema 4-13) Ashton 86-5 Ashton’s 3rd XI lost to Grappenhall. Grappenhall 230-6 (Iain Wright 94, Adam Heap 4-35) Ashton 116-9 (Stephen McKinney 46, Zach Tully 4-34) Ashton’s Womens’ XI went down to a narrow defeat against Lindow. Ashton 92 all out, Lindow 93-8 (Naz Hancioglu 4) James Marshall steers the ball through the gully

James Marshall bats in cap Cheshire County Cricket League Div 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 166 all out Lost to Mobberley CC 1st XI 167-2 Ashton on Mersey’s difficult season continued as they fell to defeat to Mobberley at The Beets. The toss proved vital, as Ashton were put into bat on a wicket that offered much help to the visitors’ seam attack. With the veteran Abdul Aqeel and Luke Stow bowling a splendid opening spell, Ashton’s top order had little answer to balls which had considerable lateral movement off a length. Despite a brave innings from Akash Patel, Ashton found themselves at 69-8 before skipper James Marshall and Sam Kingsman-Ali came together to bring some respectability to the score. As the pitch flattened out, the pair took advantage of the Mobberley change bowling, posting a 95 run partnership before Kingsman-Ali departed. Marshall was last man out for a splendid 52, having taken Ashton to a score which at least gave the home side something to defend. Stow finished with figures of 4-39 with Aqeel posting 3-28. In reply Mobberley took advantage of the improving batting conditions and despite the loss of a couple of early wickets the run chase never looked in doubt. Will Berrisford Ince (74 no) and Osman Butt (60 no) put on an unbeaten 125 run partnership to take the visitors over the line inside 27 overs, as the Ashton bowling flagged in a lost cause. The loss leaves Ashton stranded in the relegation zone with 7 games to go in the season. They will need something special across those games to avoid the drop. The Ashton 2nd XI brought some smiles back to the club with a comfortable win at Upton. Upton 137 all out (Sam Talbot 53, Ryan Carey 3-25, Aadam Ali 3-26),  Ashton 138-5 (Dave Patterson 35, Ryan Carey 35). Akash Patel bats in helmet