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

Cheshire County Cricket League Div 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 137 all out Lost to NE Cheshire CC 1st XI 228-8 Mark Weighill bowls Ashton fell to defeat on the road at North East Cheshire, as their batting failed to chase down a challenging target. Choosing to bowl first, Ashton found home openers Daniel Williams (50) and James Banner (59) in fine form. North East batted well throughout as they punished anything loose delivered by the Ashton bowlers. Whilst wickets fell at regular intervals, the runs kept coming, with Jake Reynolds hitting a half century at better than a run a ball.   Spinner Mark Weighill emerged with the best figures (5 for 61) and Ashton never allowed the innings to truly get away from them. But they knew that the run chase would not be easy, particularly as they were missing several top order batters. And so it proved, as early wickets put Ashton on the back foot. Whilst skipper James Marshall and Sam Kingsman-Ali both showed sparks of a fightback, a mixture of decent bowling and some poor shot selection saw Ashton slump to 137 all out. Toby Carson took the bowling honours with 5-24. This was a second consecutive loss for Ashton who will need to get back on track in the coming weeks to ensure that their season meets its early promise. The Ashton 2nd XI lost their game against Oulton Park at The Beets. Ashton 148 all out (Mark Duncan 48 not out, Damian Barton 6-39) Oulton Park 151-4 (Ben Kettle 60) The 3rd XI lost a low scoring game against Bowdon. Bowdon 97 all out ( Adam Heap 4-34) Ashton 66 all out (Anay Deshpande 4-13) Sam Kingsman-Ali bats

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 109 all out Lost to Cheadle Hulme CC 1st XI 315 -6 Charlie Eaton bowls Ashton were well beaten at Cheadle Hulme as the home side produced a dominant batting display to enhance their promotion prospects. Choosing to bat first, Cheadle Hulme shook off the early loss of opener Rhys Collister as Veteran Adam Wilde and overseas player Ashton Muir came together to record a 200 run partnership for the second wicket. Muir rode some early luck whilst attacking the bowling at every opportunity. The Ashton bowling did not wilt under the onslaught but there was little anyone could have done to stop Muir in this mood. Charlie Eaton eventually removed Wilde for a fine 67, but Muir pressed on to his well-deserved century. Muir eventually fell, caught in the deep hitting out, for 143 made off just 110 balls. With Sam Bright (55) and Aayush Singh Slathia energetically adding runs in the final overs, Ashton were left with a mammoth total to try and chase. Ashton’s effort stalled before it began, with Hugh Gibbons and Mike Roberts falling for ducks to Scott Howarth in the first over. Whilst Fraser Hay, Dave Patterson and Tom Scott battled hard, the result was never in doubt. With Scott having to retire injured, the innings spluttered to an end with just over 100 on the board. This was a harsh lesson for Ashton but they deserve credit for sticking to the task in the field and they will write this off as a day when they came up against a fine batsman whose day it was. Ashton’s 2nd XI also fell to defeat, against Urmston at The Beets. Urmston 219-8 (Jamie Cotton 56, Yousuf Bhamjee 3-54) Ashton 118 all out (Richard Partington 7-41) Ashton’s 3rd XI went down to defeat against Ashley. Ashley 177-5 (Mohammad Kamran 67) Ashton 48 all out (Rory Wilkinson 5-24) Fraser Hay bats