Cheshire County Cricket League Division 3
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 274-6
Beat
Warrington CC 1st XI 271 all out
Ashton maintained their title challenge with a heart-stopping victory over Warrington at The Beets.
Losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Ashton took full advantage of a flat batting track and a scorched outfield, with runs flowing freely.
Whilst wickets fell as the home side pressed on, the run rate was maintained and a huge total looked on the cards. Charlie Eaton led the way, with a fine knock of 82, but the visitors stuck to the task and supported by some excellent fielding they prevented the game from running away from them.
The innings was marred by an unfortunate injury to Warrington’s skipper, Harley Barratt, who damaged an arm diving for the ball. His absence was to prove crucial later in the day.
Some late hitting allowed Ashton to progress to 274-6 at the innings break, a fine score but perhaps 20-30 runs light given the ideal batting conditions.
In reply, Warrington batted superbly to try to meet the challenge. The game ebbed and flowed with Tom Higham leading the way with a superb 68.
But Higham went to a splendid boundary catch by Charles Erasmus, and the effort seemed to have stalled. Erasmus took two wickets to leave the visitors needing 50 runs with the last available batters at the crease.
With great energy Matthew Wright and Eswar Peddi kept pressing for what seemed an unlikely win. As the target got nearer, Peddi launched a huge six to leave Warrington needing just 4 to win. But Erasmus burst through Peddi’s defence with his next ball to take the last wicket and leave Ashton winners by just 3 runs.
The fact that Warrington were a man down was a key factor in their heroic attempt falling short, but both sides deserve great credit for delivering a great game of cricket played in the right spirit.
Ashton’s 2nd XI lost their contest away at Warrington. Ashton 200-7 (Sam Thozer 57) Warrington 204-6 (Patrick Tyrrell 60, Hassan Bukhari 51, Ryan Carey 4-40)
The 3rd XI lost their Sunday clash with Bredbury St Marks at The Beets. Ashton 158 (Noman Zubairi 4-48) Bredbury 159-5 (James Guy 53 no)
Pictured
Charlie Eaton bats
Charles Erasmus takes the final wicket
