Match Reports

Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 239-6 Lost to Cheadle Hulme CC 1st XI 241 -6 Top image: Ed Faulkner bats With the Sunday games being washed out, Ashton on Mersey completed their 2024 season by welcoming Cheadle Hulme on a bright Saturday at The Beets. Choosing to bat first Ashton lost early wickets as the Cheadle Hulme attack made the most of any early movement from the new ball. But calm play from Hugh Gibbons and Ed Faulkner steadied the ship as the bowling became easier to handle. When Gibbons fell, Fraser Hay and Jack Cumersdale supported Faulkner’s efforts, with Skipper James Marshall helping to increase the run rate at the end of the innings. Faulkner remained undefeated on 85 as Ashton closed on 239, which was about par on the excellent batting surface of The Beets. In reply, Cheadle Hulme took advantage of some wayward bowling from an Ashton attack that was hampered by injuries to their frontline bowlers. But when Sam Kingsman-Ali dismissed Ben Balderson and Cumersdale bowled dangerman Ashton Muir, the game swung back into the balance. Jordan Potts (84) and Adam Wilde (69) dug in to keep Cheadle Hulme in the game, and it looked like they would get the visitors over the line. A rattle of wickets created some late drama as Ashton fought back to put the jitters into the victory push, but some late hitting saw the game finally go Cheadle Hulme’s way with 10 balls to spare. The second XI saw victory on Saturday away at Urmston. Ashton 206 all out (Sam Thoburn 53) Urmston 152-9. Ashton can look back on a season where Lady luck on match days was often sadly lacking. A number of games saw them lose narrowly, and their overall performance and spirit could not be questioned. They remain in Division 2 for the 2025 season and will be looking to build on their fine efforts next year. Sam Kingsman-Ali bowls

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 168-9 Lost to Alvanley CC 1st XI 170-3 Top image: Macca Hooton bats Ashton on Mersey fell to defeat on the road at promotion chasing Alvanley, on a day when news of Ashton’s safety from relegation tempered the impact of the loss. Asked to bat first on a pitch which offered early help for the seamers, Ashton battled to cope with some accurate home bowling. Ashton’s season-long history of being on the wrong side of marginal decisions continued but with contributions from Macca Hooton, Fraser Hay, Jack Cumersdale and Dave Patterson, Ashton managed to post a respectable, if under par, total of 168-9. In reply Alvanley got off to a flyer as Jono Whitely attacked the bowling from the start. With Ashton hampered by injuries to their seam attack, it fell to the spinners to pull things back, and Zaheer Khan and Yousuf Bhamjee delivered. Bowling tightly and taking a wicket apiece, the spinners reduced Alvanley to 59-3 with runs drying up. But Alex Reid and Simon Gee played sensible cricket to ride out the storm and move the home side to within sight of victory. The pair saw the task through as Gee completed a fine half century in an unbeaten 111 run partnership which saw Alvanley keep up their promotion push. Ashton have been ill treated by the cricket Gods this year and it would have been harsh had they been relegated on the back of their efforts. With safety confirmed they look forward to enjoying the final weekend of the season. The 2nd XI just fell short in a run chase at The Beets against Maritime. Maritime 186 all out (Dhanura Kananke Ge 57, Max Lilley 4-37) Ashton 169 all out (Bilal Anwar 4-23) Ashton’s 3rd XI finished their season with a loss at Cheadle. Ashton 185 all out (Tom Stockton 48) Cheadle 187-4 ( Sairam Subbiah 67) Zaheer Khan bowls

Cheshire County Cricket League Div 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 83 all out Lost to Maritime CC 1st XI 294 all out Kris Green Bowling Ashton on Mersey fell to a heavy defeat to an impressive Maritime side at The Beets. Choosing to bat first, Maritime shrugged off the loss of an early wicket to attack the Ashton bowling at every opportunity. Batting with a freedom based on the confidence their League form had earned, the Maritime top order struck the ball cleanly and ran purposefully to keep the scoreboard ticking. The strength of the Maritime side was their depth of batting, proven by the fact that whilst no player scored more than 43, seven players recorded scores in the 20s, 30s and 40s, all at a high strike rate. The only Ashton bowlers who kept a lid on things were Zaheer Khan (2-37) and Kris Green (3-38) but even they could not stop the Maritime juggernaut racking up a mammoth 294. In reply, Ashton found the Maritime bowling and fielding of a similar high standard. A shell shocked Ashton lineup had no response to the excellence of the Maritime side, the innings crumbling to 83 all out. Maritime are by far the best side faced by Ashton this season and whilst the defeat leaves them in deep trouble in the League, there was little they could do on the day but applaud their title chasing opponents. Ashton’s 2nd XI also lost, away at Congleton. Congleton 152 all-out (Max Lilley 5-13) Ashton 117 all out. The Ashton 3rd XI could not lighten the gloom as they lost at Ashley. Ashley 189 ( Mohammed Zaman 57) Ashton 157 all out. Zaheer Khan bowl

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 151 all out Lost to Congleton CC 1st XI 158 all out Yousuf Bhamjee bowls For the second week in a row Ashton on Mersey fell agonisingly short in their run chase, this time away at Congleton. Choosing to bowl first on a poor batting surface with huge variable bounce, Ashton found the hosts in dogged mood as the top order batters ground out runs in the opening overs. Only the excellent Meet Solanki seemed at home at the crease but even he struggled to bat fluently. Ashton’s spinners worked through the Congleton middle order with Yousuf Bhamjee being the pick of the crop. Only some long handled hitting from tail-enders Guy Baxendale and Sean Cardell saw the total move towards respectability, and this last wicket partnership of 28 proved crucial to the game’s outcome. Bhamjee finished with 3-26 with Ed Faulkner backing him up with 3-43. In reply the Ashton batters struggled to come to terms with the conditions, finding themselves in deep trouble at 62-6. Dave Patterson and James Marshall steadied the ship with a grafting partnership of 48, but when Patterson was run out the game was in the balance. Marshall worked hard to bring the target within sight but when he was adjudged lbw with the score on 138 the task looked beyond the visitors. But a fine last wicket effort from Kris Green and Zaheer Khan took the total to within 9 runs of victory before a final ball kept low to dismiss Green. Ashton can be proud of their efforts over the past few weeks with several decisions not going their way. They will be looking to show how good a side they are in the final weeks of the season. Ashton’s 2nd XI kept their good run going with a fine win over Stockport at The Beets Ashton 228 all out (Ryan Carey 75, Suhan Shetty 68) Stockport 68 all out (Sam Thoburn 4-36). The 3rd XI lost at home to Bramhall. Bramhall 244-6 (James Day 88) Ashton 109 all out (Abid Noor 4-21) James Marshall bats

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 259-9 Lost to Stockport CC 1st XI 260-8 Top Image: Kris Green bowls Ashton on Mersey fell agonising short of pulling off a remarkable win over Stockport on a day of controversy and high drama at The Beets Choosing to bowl first, Ashton will have been disappointed by their early efforts in the field, as Zafar Jatoi and Brennan Wilson put together a fluent opening partnership. Only with the introduction of Kris Green did Ashton taste success, as the seamer removed both openers in a spell which reduced Stockport to 91-3. But the Stockport middle order feasted on anything loose from the Ashton bowling to keep up the run rate. Ashton’s efforts were not helped by a misinterpretation of the no-ball law by one of the umpires which, by the time he was corrected by his colleague, had cost Ashton three runs plus the associated free hits. This was to prove crucial as the game unfolded. With Danny Barber and Tom Facer hitting out, Stockport would have been happy with their final total of 260. Green was the bowling pick with a deserved 4-47. The Ashton reply got off to a stuttering start as Mike Eley bowled a fine spell to leave Ashton struggling at 36-3. But runs from Hugh Gibbons, Jack Cumersdale and Dave Patterson kept the home side in the hunt. Skipper James Marshall took up the challenge, posting a fine 50, and Sam Kingsman-Ali hit out to keep the target in sight. But as wickets fell, Ashton’s task looked daunting, and they went into the last over needing 19 to win. All looked lost when the ninth wicket fell off the first ball of the over, but last man Green produced some big hitting to take 12 runs of the next three balls. A scrambled bye left Yousuf Bhamjee needing to hit a six off the last ball to win the game, but his noble effort fell just inside the boundary to leave Stockport the winners by a single run. Praise has to be given to Eley who finished with figures of 4-31. This was a fine game of cricket played in great spirit between two good teams. The outcome being decided by events beyond their control leaves a sour taste, particularly given the position of the clubs in the league table going into the final weeks of the season. The Ashton 2nd team brought back a win from a low scoring encounter at Port Sunlight. Ashton 82 all out (Daniel Harper 4-19, Mathew Howard 4-38 ) Port Sunlight 47 all out (Ryan Carey 6-24). Ashton’s 3rd XI came up short at Didsbury. Ashton 133 all out (Max Davies 67 no, Aaron Grimbaldeston 5-25) Didsbury 134-4 (Zohaib Ahmad 58) Ashton’s Women’s XI (who play in association with Woodley CC) lost to Porthill Park. Porthill Park 75-4, Ashton 60-7. Sam Kingsman-Ali bats

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 198-6 Lost to Port Sunlight CC 1st XI 199-4 Top Image: Fraser Hay bats Ashton on Mersey fell to a narrow defeat against league leaders Port Sunlight on a day where the Cricket Gods were not on Ashton’s side. Losing the toss and being asked to bat first on a track which gave significant early help to the bowlers, Ashton struggled in the opening overs, finding themselves two wickets down with only 20 runs on the board. Mike Roberts and Fraser Hay steadied the ship, working hard for their runs with an outfield slowed because of morning rain. When Roberts fell, Hay and skipper James Marshall continued the rebuild, with Hay becoming more comfortable as conditions improved. After Marshall went, Lee Brooks joined Hay to push the score forward. Hay hit out towards the close of the innings, bringing up a splendid hundred in the final over. Given the  difficult conditions they had to cope with, Ashton did well to post a total just shy of 200. For Port Sunlight the bowling pick was Simon Melberzs who finished with 3 for 17. In reply the home side looked comfortable against the Ashton seam attack, but the introduction of spinners Mark Weighill and Zaheer Khan slowed the advance. Progress was slow although wickets were hard to come by. But some keen out-cricket  saw three wickets fall before the halfway stage. Wayne Greve played cautiously to keep the run chase on track, but the crucial moment came when Melberzs survived a strong appeal for a catch behind the wicket off Charlie Eaton. With other decisions not going in Ashton’s favour, the home side edged to a win with four overs to spare. Ashton can consider themselves unlucky to have lost this encounter, which could easily have gone their way had the calls fallen in their favour. The Ashton 2nd XI recorded another fine win as they entertained Romiley at The Beets. Ashton 208-9 (Lee Heap 59, Alex Napier 4-60) Romiley 125 all out (Bradley Snape 50, Rafay Qazi 5-32). Ashton’s 3rd team fell to defeat against a powerful Heaton Mersey side. Heaton Mersey 321 – 6 (Ismael Khan 106, Alishan Khan 69) Ashton 112 -9. Mark Weighill bowls

Fraser Hay strikes with the ball

Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 150 all out Lost to Haslington CC 1st XI 151 -6 Hugh Gibbons bats Ashton’s poor run of form continued, as they fell to a disappointing loss on the road at Haslington. Being asked to bat first on a pitch which promised help for the bowlers, Ashton started brightly with Hugh Gibbons and Mark Weighill putting on 54 for the first wicket. After both openers fell, the Ashton batting tried to consolidate their effort and whilst progress slowed, they were reasonably placed at 111 for 3 with 14 overs to go in the innings. But any thoughts of acceleration were snuffed out as the batting folded in the face of some accurate bowling from the home side. Ashton lost their last 7 wickets for just 39 runs to finish on a below par 150. Haslington all rounder Ben Istead took the bowling honours with 4-22. When Haslington batted, Ashton had early success as opening bowlers Fraser Hay and Kris Green, together with spinner Zaheer Khan, reduced the home side to 57-5. But several lapses in the field, with catches not being taken and overthrows being conceded, helped the home side recover and eventually prosper. Istead played with his usual class and in combination with Joe Goodier and Freddie Taylor he saw his side home for an ultimately comfortable 4 wicket win. Khan finished with three well-deserved wickets, but Ashton’s error strewn out-cricket was the defining factor in this game. The result leaves Ashton just one place above the relegation zone ahead of next week’s crucial clash with bottom-placed Mobberley at The Beets. There was better news for Ashton’s 2nd XI who won a tense home game against Haslington 2nds. Haslington 217 all out Gareth Collins 55, Max Ross 53, Yousuf Bhamjee 5-55) Ashton 218-8 (James Newton 48, Matt Rhind 47). The 3rd XI also brightened the spirits with a win at Romiley. Ashton 153-8 (Charlie Eaton 40 no, Zach Roberts 38) Romiley 90 all out (Imran Sadiq 6-25, Max Lilley 3-22).

Lost to Bollington CC 1st XI 133-7 Cheshire County Cricket League Division 2 Fraser Hay on his way to a five wicket haul. Ashton fell to defeat in a low scoring, hard fought game against Bollington at The Beets. Losing what proved to be a crucial toss, Ashton were asked to bat first on a track which offered plenty of help to the bowlers. Three early wickets put Ashton on the back foot, but the reliable Hugh Gibbons and skipper James Marshall steadied the ship as Ashton rebuilt. When Gibbons went playing one shot too many, Marshall and Sam Kingsman-Ali took the score to a respectable level. But the tail failed to fire and Ashton would have been disappointed with their effort of 131 all out. The Bollington bowlers made the most of the conditions with three wickets apiece for George Lomas and Aldo Palazzo. In reply Bollington struggled to come to terms with the conditions and with Fraser Hay bowling a splendid opening spell, the visitors were reduced to 74 -7 as Ashton sniffed victory. But Harri Dickinson and Muhammad Kashif dug in to provide the match winning partnership. Playing cautiously whilst having a eye for anything loose, the pair put on an unbeaten 50 run partnership to see Bollington over the line. Hay’s figures of 5-26 were well deserved albeit in a losing cause. Ashton will need to find some winning cricket over the next few weeks, starting next week when they visit Haslington. Ashton’s 2nd XI came up well short on their trip to table topping Upton. Upton 251-8 (Joe Green 61, Ayush Chakrabarti 4-47) Ashton 53 all out (Graeme Keenan 5-8) Ashton’s 3rd team also lost, away at Hyde. Ashton 109 all out (George Rothwell 4-26) Hyde 111-1 (Zaeem Arshad 65 no) Lee Brooks takes a fine catch

Cheshire County Cricket League Div 2 Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 137 all out Lost to NE Cheshire CC 1st XI 228-8 Mark Weighill bowls Ashton fell to defeat on the road at North East Cheshire, as their batting failed to chase down a challenging target. Choosing to bowl first, Ashton found home openers Daniel Williams (50) and James Banner (59) in fine form. North East batted well throughout as they punished anything loose delivered by the Ashton bowlers. Whilst wickets fell at regular intervals, the runs kept coming, with Jake Reynolds hitting a half century at better than a run a ball.   Spinner Mark Weighill emerged with the best figures (5 for 61) and Ashton never allowed the innings to truly get away from them. But they knew that the run chase would not be easy, particularly as they were missing several top order batters. And so it proved, as early wickets put Ashton on the back foot. Whilst skipper James Marshall and Sam Kingsman-Ali both showed sparks of a fightback, a mixture of decent bowling and some poor shot selection saw Ashton slump to 137 all out. Toby Carson took the bowling honours with 5-24. This was a second consecutive loss for Ashton who will need to get back on track in the coming weeks to ensure that their season meets its early promise. The Ashton 2nd XI lost their game against Oulton Park at The Beets. Ashton 148 all out (Mark Duncan 48 not out, Damian Barton 6-39) Oulton Park 151-4 (Ben Kettle 60) The 3rd XI lost a low scoring game against Bowdon. Bowdon 97 all out ( Adam Heap 4-34) Ashton 66 all out (Anay Deshpande 4-13) Sam Kingsman-Ali bats