James Marshall bats in cap
Cheshire County Cricket League Div 2
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 166 all out
Lost to
Mobberley CC 1st XI 167-2
Ashton on Mersey’s difficult season continued as they fell to defeat to Mobberley at The Beets.
The toss proved vital, as Ashton were put into bat on a wicket that offered much help to the visitors’ seam attack.
With the veteran Abdul Aqeel and Luke Stow bowling a splendid opening spell, Ashton’s top order had little answer to balls which had considerable lateral movement off a length.
Despite a brave innings from Akash Patel, Ashton found themselves at 69-8 before skipper James Marshall and Sam Kingsman-Ali came together to bring some respectability to the score.
As the pitch flattened out, the pair took advantage of the Mobberley change bowling, posting a 95 run partnership before Kingsman-Ali departed.
Marshall was last man out for a splendid 52, having taken Ashton to a score which at least gave the home side something to defend.
Stow finished with figures of 4-39 with Aqeel posting 3-28.
In reply Mobberley took advantage of the improving batting conditions and despite the loss of a couple of early wickets the run chase never looked in doubt.
Will Berrisford Ince (74 no) and Osman Butt (60 no) put on an unbeaten 125 run partnership to take the visitors over the line inside 27 overs, as the Ashton bowling flagged in a lost cause.
The loss leaves Ashton stranded in the relegation zone with 7 games to go in the season. They will need something special across those games to avoid the drop.
The Ashton 2nd XI brought some smiles back to the club with a comfortable win at Upton. Upton 137 all out (Sam Talbot 53, Ryan Carey 3-25, Aadam Ali 3-26), Ashton 138-5 (Dave Patterson 35, Ryan Carey 35).
Akash Patel bats in helmet
