Author name: Ian Roberts

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 145-2 Beat Haslington CC 1st XI 170 all out (DLS applying) Ashton produced a fine all-round performance to defeat fellow strugglers Haslington on a stop/start day at The Beets. Winning the toss and choosing to bowl on a rain threatened day, Ashton had early success as Tai Khan produced a fiery opening spell to rock the visitors. Despite a fighting knock from Dean Mitford, the visitors struggled to cope with the Ashton seamer, with Khan taking 4 for 31 off his 10 overs. The Haslington innings looked in deep trouble as spinner Zaheer Khan took further wickets, leaving the guests at 95-7, but some late order resistance from Dan Goodier and William Barnes took the total to a respectable 170 before the last wicket fell. Zaheer posted a fine return of 4-22. Despite some delays during the Ashton reply, leading to the target and overs available being reduced, the result seemed never in doubt as Dave Patterson and James Lines opened the innings with a flourish. Lines fell for a quickfire 27 but Patterson remained the rock of the reply. He was joined by the classy Haris Yassin and between them they added an 80 run partnership for the second wicket. Patterson fell just short of the winning line for 44, but Yassin strolled to an unbeaten half century to bring home the win. This was a fine and much needed performance from Ashton, although they remain in deep trouble at the foot of the league. They will need to be on their top form when they visit table topping Alvanley next week. The 2nd XI fell short of victory on the road at Haslington. Ashton 179 all out (Suhan Shetty 39) Haslington 166 – 6 (Will Dale 66 not out) Haslington win on DLS. The 3rd XI lost a rain interrupted game at Bowdon  Bowdon 220 -6 (Piyush Kumar 87, Sulaiman Avnis 54) Ashton 106-7. Pictured  Tai Khan bowls Haris Yassin bats 

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 250 all out Lost to Upton CC 1st XI 356 -7 Ashton on Mersey toiled on a scorching day at The Beets as their disappointing season continued with a loss to Upton. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first on one of the hottest days of the year, the home side were soon hampered by the removal from their attack of their main strike bowler. Fraser Hay. Hay’s hamstring strain limited him to just five excellent overs, and his loss proved a major problem for the home attack. Ashton managed to grab two early wickets but Chris McArthur and Lee Dixon came together to put the support bowling to the sword. With both players looking unthreatened by anything Ashton could deliver, they put on over 150 runs for the 3rd wicket to take the game away from the hosts. McArthur went through to a fine century, eventually falling for 122 at better than a run a ball. Dixon fell just 13 runs short of his ton, but any hope that the Upton score could be kept within sight was snuffed out by Joe Green and Matty Brayne who drove the score beyond the 350 mark in quick time. The Ashton bowling kept going on a hugely challenging day, but their lack of penetration without the services of Hay was notable. In reply Ashton bravely went for the runs from the off, but the loss of wickets prevented any chance of a miracle chase. A half century for Tom Jenkinson and some fine hitting from James Marshall were the highlights of a defiant innings from Ashton, but even a maximum bonus point total of 250 left them losers by 106 runs. David Williams pocketed 5-51 to take the bowling honours. The loss leaves Ashton rock bottom of the table and a long way adrift from safety. They will be  playing for pride over the coming weeks. The 2nd XI recorded another fine win at promotion chasing Romiley. Ashton 212 all out (Jack Cumersdale 67, Sam Thoburn 55) Romiley 151 all out (Ryan Carey 3-20) The 3rd XI played out a nail-biting tied game at home to Romiley. Romiley 214-4 Maximus Griffin 84) Ashton 214 all out (Aaron Jones 50, George Healey 5-35) Pictured Fraser Hay fields James Marshall bats