June 2025

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 149 Lost to Ashley CC 1st XI 175 Ashton on Mersey’s difficult season continued as they fell to defeat at Ashley. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, the Ashton attack had little luck in the opening overs, as the home batters took advantage of anything loose. Wickets failed to stem the run rate and with mishits falling safe and hard chances not being taken, the score mounted.  The Ashton bowlers stuck to the task and with James Marshall taking out the middle order, Ashton restricted the Ashley total to 175. Marshall finished with fine figures of 4-33. In reply Ashton lost two early wickets to the impressive Pierz Cyster, but Hugh Gibbons and James Lines looked at ease as they built the reply. But with when Gibbons was run out when Cyster kicked the ball onto his stumps, the pressure came back onto the Ashton batting.  Lines looked to anchor the innings, and with support from Charlie Eaton hope remained. But with the pitch providing increasing help for the Ashley spinners, both Lines and Eaton departed and despite some hitting from Marshall the Ashton effort fell 26 runs short. This was a better performance from Ashton although there is still much work to do to reach the level which the players are capable of delivering. The Ashton 2nd XI had a comfortable win against Oakmere at The Beets. Ashton 265-8 (Sam Thoburn 87 not out ) Oakmere 142 all out. Ashton’s 3rd XI lost in a rain reduced game against Elworth. Ashton 100 all out (Aarish Aarish 5-21) Elworth 89-6 (Zach Roberts 5-17) Elworth won by reaching a revised target. Pictured Fraser Hay Bowls James Lines bats