June 2024

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 104 all out Lost to Maritime CC 1st XI 110 -2 James Marshall Batting Ashton on Mersey fell to defeat on a farcical day at promotion chasing Maritime. Heavy morning rain had left the ground sodden, with muddy areas across the square and the outfield. The pitch was water damaged and prospects for play looked slim as rain continued on and off through the day. But the home side worked hard to try and get the ground playable and their efforts should be applauded. Despite their work, the ground remained treacherously soft. Remarkably, the umpires deemed the ground fit for play at just before 5pm, with both sides allocated 24 overs each to bat. Ashton were asked to bat first on a pitch which still showed signs of the water damage, and it soon became clear that this was no surface for stroke makers, as the ball stopped and cut on a deck that could not be trusted. Runs only came through hitting out and hoping for the best. Skipper James Marshall led the way with a fighting 36, but the rest of the strong Ashton batting line up was neutralised by the conditions and a lack of luck as aerial shots went straight to fielders who would have struggled to make ground had they needed to move. Some tail order hitting by Kris Green got the score above 100 and the fact that only he and Marshall reached double figures shows the impact of the conditions. In reply, the Ashton bowling was hindered by the wet run ups. The normally potent seam attack of Marshall and Fraser Hay needed a firm footing to perform as they can, and this was denied them by the conditions. The Maritime attack, based on spin and medium pace had been  less hampered by the conditions, which may, no doubt, have influenced their enthusiasm to play. Despite some early wickets the result was never in doubt as the Maritime batters hit out to win the game easily, with a rapid 50 from Kankanange. This game should never have been played. Fielders could not run and it was only by luck that no-one was injured. Whilst the desire to get a game on is admirable, allowing a game to proceed as a reward for efforts at “mopping up” when the ground remained unfit for play was a dreadful error. Ashton’s 2nd XI lost to Congleton at The Beets in another game impacted (although much less so) by the weather. Congleton 173-8 (Stephan Stubbs 64, Ayush Chakrabati 5-31)  Ashton 128 all out (Owen Lees 4-25). Kris Green

Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 212-4 Beat Congleton CC 1st XI 211-8 Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Hugh Gibbons hits out Ashton on Mersey recorded a fine win over Congleton thanks to an excellent batting performance at The Beets. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Ashton did well to restrict the early efforts of Congleton, with James Marshall in particular delivering an exceptional opening spell. Whilst several of the visitors’ batters got starts, none of them could go on to make an innings-defining score. Spinner Zaheer Khan snuffed out any attempt to accelerate the run rate, finishing with well-deserved figures of 4-32. Backed up by some fine work in the field, Ashton had Congleton on the ropes, before Jayden Armstrong and John Copeland came together to provide the visitors with some hope. Chancing their arm, the pair hit out to take the score beyond 200, leaving Ashton with a batting challenge to confront. Ashton’s reply began steadily with Macca Hooton and debutant Hugh Gibbons putting on 45 for the first wicket before Hooton fell. Gibbons was joined by Mike Roberts and the pair worked together to create the basis of victory for the home side. With both batters playing steady cricket, whilst pouncing on anything loose, they put on 136 for the 2nd wicket, before Roberts was dismissed for an invaluable 43. The excellent Gibbons, who had been the leader of the partnership with Roberts, posted a superb century before departing with the winning post in sight. Ashton got over the line with 4 overs to spare for the loss of 4 wickets. Gibbons’ excellent performance allowed Ashton to move up the table and they will be looking forward to the challenge of travelling to promotion-chasing Maritime in the next round of league games. Ashton’s 2nd XI made it another double winning Saturday as they overcame Stockport CC. Ashton 161-9 (James Newton 33) Stockport 108 all out (Qand Agha 52 not out, Kris Green 4-20). Gibbons celebrates his century