Cheshire County Cricket League Division 3
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 243 all out
Lost to
Runcorn CC 1st XI 246-9
Ashton on Mersey fell to a narrow defeat at Runcorn on a day where injuries to the Ashton bowling attack proved crucial.
Batting first Ashton made good progress with Charles Erasmus and Saeed Bhamjee putting on 111 for the first wicket before the dreaded Nelson claimed Erasmus for a fine 58.
Bhamjee and Harris Yassin took the total to 151 but a clatter of wickets, including Bhamjee for a splendid 65, halted the Ashton Charge.
Some late hitting by Sam Kingsman-Ali lifted the final total to 243, which looked (and proved to be) a little short of par. 4 wickets each for Matthew Dunbabin and Kieran Maher were the bowling highlights.
In reply Ashton were already a bowler down after their lead spinner Zaheer Khan was injured in the warm up. And things got worse as Charlie Eaton had to be withdrawn from the attack with a side strain and Charles Erasmus was hampered by a blow to a finger whilst batting.
All that put extra pressure on skipper James Marshall who responded magnificently, taking 6 wickets for 41 in his 10 over spell. That reduced Runcorn to 93-6 and Ashton scented victory. But Yassir Adnan and Dunbabin came together to post an excellent 98 run partnership for the 7th wicket to bring Runcorn back into the game.
Ashton fought hard with the limited bowling available and the game was in the balance when the 9th wicket fell with Runcorn still needing 32 runs, but Adnan controlled the chase, getting his team over the line with 8 balls to go. His unbeaten 94 was a great effort and Runcorn deserved the win.
The bonus points Ashton gained actually increased their lead at the top of the table as their nearest rivals were well beaten. They will be looking to avoid any further slip ups in the final 5 games of the season.
Ashton 2s won a low scoring thriller at the Beets against Oakmere. Ashton 113 all out, Oakmere 64 all out (Dave Corps 6-16).
Ashton’s 3rd XI won at Urmston. Urmston 170 all out (Steve Mckinney 4-38) Ashton 174-8 (Chirag Tapal 74, Nadal Shinod 5-47)
Pictured
Saeed Bhamjee bats
James Marshall bowls
