Author name: Ian Roberts

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 And things got worse as Charlie Eaton had to be withdrawn from the attack with a side strain and Charles Erasmus was hampered by a blow to a finger whilst batting.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

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

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 3 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 184-1 Beat Stockport CC 1st XI 180 all out Ashton on Mersey kept up their title challenge with an ultimately comfortable win away at Stockport. Winning the toss and opting to bowl first, Ashton were rocked as the Stockport top order launched an assault on the opening attack. With boundaries flowing freely, the score passed 60 in just 12 overs. But Ashton stuck to the task and gradually wickets began to fall. Skipper James Marshall led the way, taking 5 -36 in his 10 over spell, which snuffed out the Stockport middle order as they tried to keep up the aggressive approach adopted by the top order. The innings finally ended with the score at 180, well below what might have been expected given the start made by the home side. In reply, Ashton made short work of the task at hand, as the home bowling and fielding fell well short of what was required and Charles Erasmus and Tom Scott took full advantage of the bowling to race towards the target. Scott fell for 43, but Erasmus was joined by Harris Yassin and the pair brought home the win with 23 overs to spare. Erasmus finished on 99 not out, agonisingly short of the century which his batting deserved. The win keeps Ashton 27 points clear at the top of the table with just 7 games left in the season. Ashton’s 2s made it a maximum points Saturday, beating Port Sunlight at The Beets. Ashton 279-6 (Sam Thozer 84) Port Sunlight 158 all out (Adam Pasgon 78) The 3rd and 4th team games were lost to the weather. Pictured James Marshall claims one of his 5 wickets Charles Erasmus on his way to 99 not out