Cheshire County Cricket League Division 3
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 257-5
Beat
Bredbury St Marks CC 1st XI 150 all out
Ashton retained their lead at the top of the table with an emphatic win at 4th placed Bredbury.
Losing the toss and being asked to bat, Ashton lost early wickets on a surface that was giving significant help to the home bowlers.
But slowly and surely Charles Erasmus and Charlie Eaton dragged Ashton back into the game as they posted the match defining partnership.
The two paced nature of the pitch made stoke-play difficult, but both men worked hard to graft for their runs.
As the bowlers tired, Eaton began to unfurl a range of innovative shots, whilst Erasmus played a watchful delight of a knock.
Eaton finally fell for 68, having put on 150 for the 4th wicket with Erasmus, who kept going after the partnership was broken.
Erasmus batted through to post a superb 102 not out, repeating his century of the previous week, although this ton was made in far more difficult circumstances.
Ashtons total of 257 was far beyond the average score at the ground and the target for Bredbury looked very challenging.
And so it proved as Kris Green and James Marshall reduced the hosts to 15-4.
Whilst the middle order tried hard, Ashton’s Ed Faulkner snuffed out any hopes of a fightback, taking 4-15 as Bredbury struggled to 150 all out.
The win keeps Ashton 30 points clear at the top of the table with 3 games to go.
Ashton’s 2nd XI struggled to a loss at home to Cheadle Hulme. Ashton 117 all out, Cheadle Hulme 118-4.
The 3rd XI won a low scoring game at Trafford MV. Ashton 119 all out. Trafford MV 63 all out (Neil Manjoi 5-7)
Ashton’s 4th XI lost at home to Cheadle. Cheadle 167 all out (Max Lilley 4-15) Ashton 100 all out.
Pictured
Charles Erasmus bats
Ed Faulkner bowls
