Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 107-5
Drew with
Haslington CC 1st XI 224-8
Charlie Eaton bowls
Ashton on Mersey were thwarted by the weather on a day when they put up a fine performance against title-chasing Haslington at The Beets.
Choosing to bowl first after winning the toss, Ashton were soon on top as the opening attack of Charlie Eaton and Jackson Noske bowled a probing and controlled spell.
With the Ashton support bowling keeping up the pressure, Haslington were reduced to 70-5 before the visitor’s Ben Istead took control of the effort to build a total.
Batting with judgement and skill, Istead played a superb innings as he helped Haslington to a respectable score of 224-8 off their 50 overs. Istead remained undefeated on 108 at the innings’ close.
Eaton took the bowling honours with well-deserved figures of 3-53.
In reply Ashton made steady progress despite the loss of wickets, including a controversial decision which gave key man Henry Murray out bowled when the bails appeared to be disturbed by the keeper’s gloves.
Despite that setback, Ashton looked set to mount a serious push for the target when the rains came and denied both sides a chance of the win.
The result leaves Ashton in the relegation zone but with hopes that the improved form in the last few weeks will lead to a points push in the coming weeks.
A weakened Ashton 2nd XI fell to a heavy defeat at Haslington. Ashton 63 all out (Joe Cork 4-2) Haslington 64-0 (Will Dale 50 not out).
Henry Murray bats
