James Marshall bats
Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 141 all out
Lost to
Cheadle Hulme CC 1st XI 142- 8
Ashton on Mersey went down to defeat despite another battling performance which kept their season alive.
Losing the toss and being asked to bat, Ashton soon found themselves in deep trouble as they struggled on a pitch which gave significant help to the home bowlers.
Andrew Whylie and Usman Arshad gave the batters a torrid time as Ashton slumped to 36-7.
But James Lines and James Marshall dug deep to rescue Ashton from the embarrassment that was facing them. With Lines hitting out and Marshall working the ball around, the pair dragged the visitors back into the game.
When Lines fell lbw for 44, Marshall continued the fightback, farming as much of the strike as possible.
When Marshall was last man out for a splendid 60, Ashton’s total of 141, whilst below par, was a fine effort given the early problems they faced.
Whylie finished with excellent and well-deserved figures of 4-35.
In reply, Cheadle Hulme looked in no trouble against the new ball, on a pitch that had lost much of its early spite.
But Jackson Noske dug deep to remove both openers and Ashton kept the pressure on with the bowlers hitting good line and length.
Wickets fell at regular intervals, and when Adam Wilde was dismissed by Marshall, Ashton saw the prospect of an unlikely win.
But chances came and went, and Cheadle got over the line with two wickets in hand.
Noske and Marshall took 3 wickets each but Ashton will rue the dropped catches that cost them dear.
The result leaves Ashton still in the relegation zone with one game left in the season, but the points gap to safety leaves everything to play for next week.
Ashton’s 2nd XI pulled off a splendid win against top of the table Didsbury at The Beets. Ashton 199-9 (Sam Kingsman-Ali 85 not out) Didsbury 193 all out (Jack Airey 67, Ryan Carey 6-27).
Ashton’s 3rd XI went down to defeat at North East Cheshire. Ashton 136 all out, North East Cheshire 137-3 (Sam Westerby 53)
Jackson Noske bowls
