Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 231-5
Beat
Alvanley CC 1st XI 229-7
Kris Green bowls
Ashton recorded an excellent victory as they fought off the challenge of Alvanley in a fine game of cricket at The Beets.
On a near perfect summer’s day, Ashton invited the visitors to bat first on what promised to be a fine batting track which would get even better during the day.
Opening bowers Fraser Hay and Kris Green bowled well with little luck as Mike Rowlands and Stephen Charles put on 50 for the first wicket.
The introduction of Charlie Eaton saw the breakthrough, as he dislodged Rowlands, taking a second wicket in his next over.
Ashton wobbled in the field with a number of dropped chances, but Jack Cumersdale clung onto a caught and bowled to remove veteran Andy Bennion.
Spinner Zaheer Khan made the next breakthrough, removing Charles for a fine 53, but the Alvanley lower order kept pressing to move their score past 200.
The final total of 229 was perhaps par for the day. Khan finished with well deserved figures of 3-48.
In reply Ashton started steadily with Hugh Gibbons and Macca Hooton combating Alvanley’s fine opening attack of Chris Charles and Ieuan Morris.
When Hooton fell, Gibbons was joined by Mike Roberts and together they built a 75 run partnership which moved the game Ashton’s way.
When they fell (Gibbons for a well made 58) Hay and Tom Scott took up the challenge and the victory target came into sight. Scott fell on the home straight but Hay hit the winning runs to finish unbeaten on 57.
This was a superb game of cricket between two fine teams, played in a good spirit. Ashton will be very satisfied to have got the win, which moves them up to 5th in the table ahead of next week’s trip to Cheadle Hulme.
Ashton’s 2nd XI went down to defeat at Maritime. Maritime 230 all out, Ashton 97 all out.
The 3rd XI also lost at Bramhall. Ashton 165 all out (Steve Mckinney 66) Bramhall 168-2 (Josh Patel 101 not out)
Mike Roberts bats
