July 2024

Fraser Hay strikes with the ball

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 150 all out Lost to Haslington CC 1st XI 151 -6 Hugh Gibbons bats Ashton’s poor run of form continued, as they fell to a disappointing loss on the road at Haslington. Being asked to bat first on a pitch which promised help for the bowlers, Ashton started brightly with Hugh Gibbons and Mark Weighill putting on 54 for the first wicket. After both openers fell, the Ashton batting tried to consolidate their effort and whilst progress slowed, they were reasonably placed at 111 for 3 with 14 overs to go in the innings. But any thoughts of acceleration were snuffed out as the batting folded in the face of some accurate bowling from the home side. Ashton lost their last 7 wickets for just 39 runs to finish on a below par 150. Haslington all rounder Ben Istead took the bowling honours with 4-22. When Haslington batted, Ashton had early success as opening bowlers Fraser Hay and Kris Green, together with spinner Zaheer Khan, reduced the home side to 57-5. But several lapses in the field, with catches not being taken and overthrows being conceded, helped the home side recover and eventually prosper. Istead played with his usual class and in combination with Joe Goodier and Freddie Taylor he saw his side home for an ultimately comfortable 4 wicket win. Khan finished with three well-deserved wickets, but Ashton’s error strewn out-cricket was the defining factor in this game. The result leaves Ashton just one place above the relegation zone ahead of next week’s crucial clash with bottom-placed Mobberley at The Beets. There was better news for Ashton’s 2nd XI who won a tense home game against Haslington 2nds. Haslington 217 all out Gareth Collins 55, Max Ross 53, Yousuf Bhamjee 5-55) Ashton 218-8 (James Newton 48, Matt Rhind 47). The 3rd XI also brightened the spirits with a win at Romiley. Ashton 153-8 (Charlie Eaton 40 no, Zach Roberts 38) Romiley 90 all out (Imran Sadiq 6-25, Max Lilley 3-22).

Lost to Bollington CC 1st XI 133-7 Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Fraser Hay on his way to a five wicket haul. Ashton fell to defeat in a low scoring, hard fought game against Bollington at The Beets. Losing what proved to be a crucial toss, Ashton were asked to bat first on a track which offered plenty of help to the bowlers. Three early wickets put Ashton on the back foot, but the reliable Hugh Gibbons and skipper James Marshall steadied the ship as Ashton rebuilt. When Gibbons went playing one shot too many, Marshall and Sam Kingsman-Ali took the score to a respectable level. But the tail failed to fire and Ashton would have been disappointed with their effort of 131 all out. The Bollington bowlers made the most of the conditions with three wickets apiece for George Lomas and Aldo Palazzo. In reply Bollington struggled to come to terms with the conditions and with Fraser Hay bowling a splendid opening spell, the visitors were reduced to 74 -7 as Ashton sniffed victory. But Harri Dickinson and Muhammad Kashif dug in to provide the match winning partnership. Playing cautiously whilst having a eye for anything loose, the pair put on an unbeaten 50 run partnership to see Bollington over the line. Hay’s figures of 5-26 were well deserved albeit in a losing cause. Ashton will need to find some winning cricket over the next few weeks, starting next week when they visit Haslington. Ashton’s 2nd XI came up well short on their trip to table topping Upton. Upton 251-8 (Joe Green 61, Ayush Chakrabarti 4-47) Ashton 53 all out (Graeme Keenan 5-8) Ashton’s 3rd team also lost, away at Hyde. Ashton 109 all out (George Rothwell 4-26) Hyde 111-1 (Zaeem Arshad 65 no) Lee Brooks takes a fine catch