Senior Cricket News

Cheshire County League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 166-9 Lost to Bollington CC 1st XI 161-2 Ashton on Mersey’s difficult season continued as they were beaten at The Beets by high flying Bollington. Being asked to bat first, after a late start due to rain, Ashton battled hard to combat some pronounced seam and swing in the early overs. After Tom Jenkinson fell, Hugh Gibbons and debutant Harris Yassin got on top of the bowling to put on a 50 partnership at a good rate. But the introduction of spinner Aldo Palazzo saw the match shift back to the visitors’ favour, as he struck three times before drinks. When Yassin went a few overs later, the innings stuttered, and Ashton had to rely on the splendid Charlie Eaton to manage the lower order effort, allowing the total to reach 166- 9 by the close. Palazzo was the bowling pick, bagging 4-22. The reply was all about the excellence of the Bollington batting. Andrej Yaksander showed why he is the leading batter in the league with a masterclass of attacking play. The Ashton attack had little answer to a player at the top of his game, and in combination with Ben Gibson, Yaksander led an unbeaten 100 partnership for the third wicket to seal the win. Yaksander was left 11 runs short of a century which would have been fully deserved. Ashton will be looking to build on their improving performances over the last few weeks as they face a crucial series of games in the coming month which will define their season. The 2nd team game fell victim to the weather, but the 3rds pulled off a fine win at neighbours Trafford MV. Ashton 133-6 (Finn Coburn 67 not out); Trafford MV 122 all out (Adam Heap 3-6) Pictured Harris Yassin bats Tai Khan bowls

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 83 all out Lost to Alvanley CC 1st XI 85 -1 Ashton crashed to defeat at The Beets on a day when their batting disintegrated against a potent Alvanley pace attack Choosing to bat first, Ashton soon came to regret their decision as the opening bowling duo of Chris Charles and Ieuan Morris found lift and bounce from the track. A mixture of fine bowling and poor decision making by the Ashton batters saw the Ashton top order blown away, slumping to 18-7 with no-one in the top 7 making double figures. Mark Weighill and Yousuf Bhamjee staged a mini recovery against the change bowling but the end of the innings came swiftly once the splendid Morris returned to the attack. He finished with 4-22 with Charles posting 3-17 Alvanley knocked off the runs for the loss of just one wicket, to leave Ashton with plenty to think about ahead of next week’s visit to North East Cheshire. Ashton’s 2nd XI brought much needed cheer, recording a comprehensive victory over table topping Urmston. Ashton 216 all out (Ryan Carey 72, Richard Partington 4-54) Urmston 131 all out (Stan Hodgett 53). Pictured Tom Scott bats Charlie Eaton fields