Cheshire County Cricket League Division 3
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 238-9
Beat
Winnington Park CC 1st XI 237-9
In one of the closest finishes ever seen by the club, Ashton maintained their lead at the top of the table with a crucial and dramatic victory over Winnington Park at The Beets.
Batting first, Ashton made good progress with the top order all getting starts. The 95 third wicket partnership between Harris Yassin and Charlie Eaton was the bedrock of the innings but when both batters departed the innings stuttered.
4 wickets fell for just 6 runs and the large total which had been threatened looked somewhat distant. But some positive hitting from Sam Kingsman-Ali, Shasvat Kakkar and Kris Green allowed Ashton to reach 238 at innings close, a score perhaps 30 runs light of what might have been hoped for.
Michael Dunning took the bowling honours with 4-34.
In reply Winnington Park struggled in the early overs and with Zaheer Khan bowling with his usual control, the visitors looked well out of it when the 7th wicket fell at 144. But Jonny Wales was joined by Dunning and the pair battled back to bring the target within sight.
Dunning was dismissed with just 12 runs needed, but with Wales still going strong the game looked beyond Ashton.
With just 7 runs needed Green took Wales’ wicket thanks to a smart catch by Eaton, leaving Winnington Park one over to get over the line with the last pair at the crease. Four singles were scrambled leaving two needed off the last ball with all results possible. Calm fielding saw only one run scored, leaving Ashton victorious by a single run.
This was another terrific game of cricket in a season which has seen many such contests involving the resilient Ashton team. They remain 27 points clear of their title rivals with just 6 games to go.
Ashton’s 2nd team continued their inconsistent season with a loss away at Winnington Park. Winnington Park 201 all out (Danny Westwood 51, Max Lilley 3-26, Zach Roberts 3-32) Ashton 168 all out (Matt Atherton 4-47)
The 3rd XI went down to a 21 run loss against Didsbury. Didsbury 176-6 (Ruan Hamblett 50) Ashton 155 all out (Isaac Jones 4-35)
The 4th team lost narrowly at Stockport. Ashton 180, Stockport 183-9 (Umer Saddiq 63, Sam Boyd 4-42).
Pictured
Zaheer Khan bowls
Ashton celebrate their victory
