Cheshire County Cricket League Div 2
Ashton on Mersey CC 1st XI 101 all out
Lost to
Mobberley CC 1st XI 300-7
Ashton on Mersey’s difficult start to the season continued as they went down to another heavy defeat away at Mobberley.
Choosing to bowl first, Ashton delivered some tight lines in the early stages, keeping the home side down to 35-1 after 10 overs.
But the game ran away from Ashton with the introduction of the change bowling, as their spinners found it hard to keep the lid on the aggressive Mobberley middle order.
With the excellent Ibrar Latif making the most of anything loose, the score mounted. Ashton’s efforts were dealt a blow when pace bowler Jackson Noske had to be withdrawn from the attack, leaving only limited options for the visitors.
After Latif went for a fine 83, veteran Abdul Aqeel hit out in the later overs to finish unbeaten on 63 off just 29 balls. Ashton wilted under the onslaught, seeing the home side rack up a mammoth 300-7 off their 50 overs
Only the efforts of Ashton skipper James Marshall (3-51) kept the score from becoming even more embarrassing.
In reply, Ashton got off to the worst of starts with opener Macca Hooton falling to a first ball duck.
From that point the game became a showcase for the skills of Aqeel with the ball, as he ran through the Ashton line up in a demonstration of high quality seam bowling.
Only some late order hitting from Mark Weighill took Ashton into three figures, as they stuttered to 101 all out. Aqeel finished with the well deserved figures of 7-45.
This was another poor performance from Ashton, who will need to re-group quickly if they are to avoid the season running away from them.
Ashton’s spirits were raised as the 2nd XI notched up a fine win against Upton at The Beets. Ashton 198-7 (Matt Rhind 62) Upton 157 all out (Charlie Eaton 4-11).
The Ashton 3rd XI lost a hard fought contest at home to Heaton Mersey. Ashton 189-9 (Jamal Benzafar 107) Heaton Mersey 191-4 (Rob Lisney 77 not out
