Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 152 all out
Lost to
North East Cheshire CC 1st XI 153-5
Ashton’s difficult start to the season continued as they fell to defeat on the road at North East Cheshire.
Losing the toss and being asked to bat on a surface which offered help to the bowlers, Ashton top order batting once again failed to meet the challenge. In what is becoming an unwanted regular feature of their matches, Ashton found themselves struggling at 25-4, as North East’s seamers took wickets and restricted runs.
Only Dave Patterson seemed up to the fight and in combination with Charlie Eaton and Mark Weighill he dragged the score up to a respectable level.
With the score on 133-5 with 8 overs to go, Ashton would have hoped to set a challenging target, but when Patterson fell for a splendid 72, the rest of the innings crumbled, leaving Ashton all out for an under par 152.
Ashton kept the home team honest by taking three early wickets as Fraser Hay and James Marshall made the most of the new ball, but North East’s Will Westerby produced a class knock to remove any hopes Ashton had of a victory.
Despite Yousuf Bhamjee taking two wickets in two balls, Westerby saw the home team through to victory, remaining undefeated on 73.
Ashton need a rapid reset if their season is not to become a story of struggle for survival. The batters need to find some form and confidence and the bowling unit needs to find consistency to avoid loose deliveries being punished. The task starts in the next round of league games at home to Christleton.
The 2nd XI maintained their recent good form with a 6 wicket win against Warrington at The Beets. Warrington 139 all out (Max Lilley 5-17) Ashton 143-4 (Ryan Carey 61 not out).
The 3rd XI were well beaten by a powerful Bowdon team. Bowdon 275-3 (Vaikkun Venkat 136, Nanda Lukalapu 53 not out) Ashton 147 all out ( Alex Gilbert 48, Girish Lavekar 6-26)
Pictured
Dave Paterson bats
Fraser Hay bowls
