Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 151 all out
Lost to
Ashley CC 1st XI 253 all out
Pictured: Sam Thorburn bowls
Ashton on Mersey fell to a heavy home defeat on a day when the quality of the visitors’ batting was the decisive factor.
Opting to bowl first on a pitch which promised a degree of early assistance, Ashton’s opening attack of Fraser Hay and Charlie Eaton each produced fine spells which removed both Ashley openers.
With Zaheer Khan and James Marshall picking up a wicket apiece, Ashley were struggling at 52-4 before Ammad Mushtaq and Jahangir Mushtaq came together to move the game decisively in the visitors’ favour.
The introduction of leg spinner Sam Thoburn removed Ammad for a fine 50, but Jahangir continued to press the accelerator, taking advantage of anything loose from the home bowling.
Ashton stuck to the task, but this was Jahangir’s day. When he finally fell to Thoburn for 115, he had taken Ashley to a strong position, and despite Thoburn mopping up the tail to finish with 4-54, Ashley’s total of 253 was a formidable target.
In reply Ashton lost early wickets and despite a battling 80 from Macca Hooton, the home side never looked like getting close to the required total. With help from James Newton (29) and Marshall (26no), Ashton reached the 150 mark, but the inevitable defeat came in the 36th over.
Ashton will look back on the match with mixed feelings. Several players were carrying injuries which impacted to a degree on the performance, but they will regret the number of loose balls bowled to batters well equipped to take advantage of those offerings and will feel that better application from a number of their own batters would have produced a closer game.
They will be looking to get back on track next week against table-topping Port Sunlight.
Ashton’s 2nd XI recorded a fine win away at Neston. Neston 144 all out (Rafay Qazi 4-33 Max Lilley 3-14) Ashton 145-8 (Ragesh Nair 41, Yousuf Bhamjee 40 no)
Ashton’s 3rd XI also won their game against Romiley thanks to a great bowling performance by Imran Sadiq. Romiley 87 all out (Sadiq 7-6) Ashton 91-5 (Zach Roberts 43 no)
Ashton’s Womens XI who play in a combined team with Woodley CC fell to defeat against Didsbury. Didsbury 144-7, Ashton/Woodley 119-8.
Macca Hooton bats
