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Match Reports

Please find below, the entire season's match reports for the 2007 season.

Week 1 – Roscow’s wait is over

Alvanley 1st X1 - 75 all out
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 - 77 for 6

Those Roscow brothers have spent the winter biting their nails in anticipation of leather on willow and wasted no time taking the new division by storm as the 1st team began their campaign where they left off Division 2 with a dominant display at Alvenley. They recorded a 20 point win despite their batsman very nearly throwing away all the good work with an Ashton style mid order collapse. Anthony Roscow has started the season as captain in the absence of regular skipper Mark Timms who continues to recover from a back operation. On a typical April wicket Roscow didn’t hesitate to ask Alvanley to bat first and then watched as his brothers Andrew and Chris ripped through the home sides top order to leave them reeling on 26 for 5. Alvanley never really recovered although they put up some resistance to finish with 75 all out.

It should have been a formality but from 40 for 1 some complacent batting let Alvanley back into it and even gave them some hope of even winning it. However Anthony and Andy Roscow saw Ashton home with 4 wickets to spare to give Ashton 20 points.
Steve Barrow’s 2nd X1 must improve on their opening day display after a sloppy start at home to a feisty promoted Mere side who came out of the traps stronger in both innings. Despite a steady start from Simon Pomfret, Ashton’s other bowlers were all over the place and Mere took full advantage racing to 85 for 1 off the first 15 overs led by the experienced Bill Blackburn with some classy and sensible shots. At the other end Cunningham’s beefy hits took him to a quick-fire 53, capitalising on his early good fortune after surviving a nailed on LBW shout before getting out of jail when run out courtesy of an unsighted umpire. With the game running away from them Ashton turned to Adam Mulroy and Bill Lowes who struck twice in consecutive balls to wrestle some control back to the home side. Lowes finished with 5 for 62 and Mulroy 2 for 27 but 191 all out was always going to be hard to chase down on an April wicket.

After Ashton slumped to 33 for 4 the task was made harder but Steve Barrow with 33 and Dec Boyle with 28 consolidated for a period to keep Ashton in it before Barrow lost concentration and was bowled by a straight one. The middle and lower order batsmen who got Ashton up to 159 for 8 at the close particularly impressed the skipper. There were decent contributions from Matt Rhind whose hard work on his technique in winter nets paid dividends. New man Gareth Perry looked adept against the short pitch deliveries dispatching the Mere skipper to the boundary every time he dug one in. Dave Webster was keen to remind the skipper of his all rounder credentials and batted well remaining unbeaten at the end with Adam Mulroy who completed his impressive all round display with 18 not out.

Week 2 – 2nd’s fight back at Malpas

Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 157 all out
Maplas 1st X1 252 for 5

Ashton on Mersey tasted defeat for the first time in division one last weekend at the hands of a strong Malpas side determined to bounce straight back to the County League after their 2006 relegation. Ashton had prepared another excellent batting wicket out of place for so early in the cricketing calendar but it was Malpas who took early advantage of it after skipper Walker started what was a great day for himself and his by winning the toss.

Walker’s next actions were some devastating blows with the blade, as he opened the batting with Hart and managed 89 for their first wicket partnership. Ashton were left to reflect on a day of dropped catches, particularly putting down Walker on 15 as he went on to hit 96 before Matt MacGibbon removed his off-stump with the skipper within one lusty blow of his century. The Malpas overseas player Crichton was also in attacking mood smashing an impressive 81 from 62 deliveries before being caught in the covers off another crashing drive. The Malpas batting line-up finished with 252 for 5 off their allotted 45 overs with Chris Roscow (3 for 57) the only bowler with any kind of figures of note.
In reply Ashton never built a stable enough platform to enable them to chase down such a big score, losing wickets consistently. Only skipper Anthony Roscow (24) from the top order got going and a hat trick from Hunt saw the Ashton middle order adding just 3 runs to the total before finding themselves all returned to the shed in a matter of balls. There were valuable batting contributions from the lower order though, Chris Roscow with 28 and Kevin Boyle with 25 helping Ashton to 157. The match ball sponsored by Willows Cricket Supplies of Golbourn.
Meanwhile Ashton's 2nd X1 reversed the result by winning at Malpas in a thrilling game in which they had looked dead and buried at one stage. After rattling up 227 for 4 batting first Ashton were confident they had more than enough runs. Rob Greaves hit a magnificent unbeaten century scoring 4 sixes and 14 fours, overshadowing skipper Steve Barrow who hit 57 at the other end. Dec Boyle with 26 not out also continued his development into a genuine all rounder. Maplas reorganised their plans sending in the big hitters to open their innings. Former 1st team skipper Mike Jones hit a classy 64 whilst Mike Davies (33) and Ian Rees (29) chanced their arms as Malpas racked up 100 inside 16 overs. At 131 for 1 Malpas were cruising towards victory before Steve Barrow turned to his slower bowlers and Adam Mulroy and Dec Boyle started to run through Malpas. Mulroy who had been Ashton's best bowler on the opening day took 4 wickets for 53 whilst Boyle returned to form after a jittery opening day with the ball to take 3 for 32 including the dangerous Rowlinson for 32, who was looking dangerous as wickets fell around him before an excellent catch from Pete Harris on the boundary ended his innings. With 2 overs left Malpas were 8 wickets down and needed 22 to win. In a make or break move Steve Barrow turned back to his opening bowler Dave Webster who had bowled a luckless yet lively earlier spell. Williamson dispatched Webster for four to take him on to 17 but Webster returned to beat him for pace and wipe out his middle stump off the next ball to end the Malpas hopes of winning it. With 10 balls left and the last Maplas man at the crease Webster again sent stumps flying to give the 2nd's their first win of the season.
Week 3 – Firsts find Form
Prestbury 1st X1 78 all out
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 118 all out
Ashton on Mersey bounced back from their heavy defeat at Malpas with wins in both the league and cup fixtures at weekend. Stand in skipper Anthony Roscow has been concerned about the teams early season form with the bat and sticky tracks in these double away fixtures at Prestbury (league) and Winsford (cup) were not helpful in his quest for the top order to find form. On Saturday Aidan Miners with 27 got Ashton off to a useful start but the unfortunate run out of Roscow paved the way for a middle order collapse and it was again the lower order who set about a rescue mission with Matt MacGibbon (25), Chris Roscow (26) and Kevin Boyle providing pivotal contributions in a low scoring game as Ashton were dismissed in just 36 overs for a total of just 118, Prestbury bowler Barnes making use of the track most efficiently taking a 5 wicket haul.
On a pitch very much conducive to bowling, there was belief for Ashton and after the 1st wicket fell in the 6th over a procession followed. When Ashton took the 6th
wicket, with the score on 68 the Prestbury batsmen almost resigned themselves to defeat, none of them looking like they were ever up for the battle. The total reached 78 in just the 23rd over before man of the match Matt MacGibbon secured his third wicket, and the game for Ashton. Other wicket takers included the 3 Roscow brothers, Chris, Andrew and Anthony Roscow with three, two and two wickets respectively.
Ashton then went into the Sunday Cup game at Winsford on a cold, wet May afternoon, looking to continue their dominance over Winsford in the past few years. Previously out of form batsmen Steve Eastham (31) and Martin Mosley (16) gained valuable time at the crease, whilst Chris Roscow (27) and from Aidan Miners (16) got the total up to 135 all out with some help from last man Dave Carter who chipped in with an important 16 runs. Another fine all round bowling performance in the second half saw the team through to the next round with Anthony Roscow and Martin Mosley both taking three wickets. Only contributions from captain Barret (27) and the evergreen Crellin (19) gave Winsford any sniff at a win, before being dismissed in the 37th over for just 112.
Ashton's 2nd X1 meanwhile suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of Wirral side Old Parkonians. With Adam Mulroy and Declan Boyle called up to the 1st team this weekend, Ashton found themselves short of in form bowlers and served up 40 overs of drivel to a Parkonians side who at half time were not confident of chasing down the 206 for 7 Ashton had posted. Paul Eastham (77) and Mark Robinson (36) had set a solid platform for Ashton which Steve Barrow with 51 and Ben MacDonald had later built on to give Ashton a commanding total. With the skipper off the pitch injured for the 2nd half acting captain Bill Lowes used 8 bowlers in an attempt to find a solution to Ashton's wayward bowling but Walker with 72 and young Will Fearon with 58 filled their boots as Ashton bowled their opponents into form and to a 7 wicket win. Only young Mark Duncan bowled anything like a decent spell and Ashton's bowlers will need to get back to basics next week as they go into a fixture at Runcorn away without their injured captain.
Week 4 – Covers Dominate Day
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 170 for 6 declared
Runcorn 1st X1 61 for 4
Ashton on Mersey managed the maximum points realistically available to them last Saturday, on a day where the weather was always going to be the only winner. The track was dry and hard after 3 days under the covers so it was surprising given that and the forecast of further rain when Runcorn won the toss and elected to bowl first. Ashton capitalized making good use of a rain interrupted 40 overs reaching 170 and the full 10 batting bonus points before declaring, Steve Eastham hitting 63, Anthony Roscow 31 not out and Aidan Miners 26. This gave Ashton 30 overs to bowl out Runcorn but further rain delays reduced this to 26 overs and once the Runcorn batsman had successfully negotiated the first 10 overs for the loss of only 2 wickets a draw was always on the cards. Runcorn finished on 61 for 4 with the covers on and off eight times during play.
The Runcorn 2nd team skipper Colin Lloyd was not in declaration or bowling mood having won the toss in the reverse fixture, batting the full 45 over allocation leaving Ashton only 32 to chase down 175 to win in another rain affected game. On what had become a wet track that kind of run rate was always going to be against the odds although after Mark Robinson with 24 and Paul Eastham with 40 had got Ashton to 69 for 1 in quick time there was hope of an unlikely win. Rob Greaves with 13 and Pete Birch with 20 continued to keep the momentum but a flurry of wickets as the middle order hit out took the game away from Ashton. With 7 wickets down skipper Robinson called time on attempts to win it leaving the lower order to successfully bat out the remaining overs for a draw, Ashton closing on 125 for 8 in more pouring rain.
Week 5 – Ashton progress in Cheshire Cup
Romiley 149 all out
Ashton on Mersey 151 for 5
After disposing of Winsford 2 weeks ago Ashton on Mersey traveled to Romiley in Round 2 of the Cheshire Cup with a scratch side, only 5 of the players from Saturdays league defeat at Davenham appearing. Some poor early bowling by Ashton saw Romiley put together a promising start with both Leach (31) and Coupes (35) putting some valuable runs on the board to take Romiley up to 80 from just 20 overs. However an excellent spell of leg spin from Anthony Roscow bamboozled the Romily openers and tightened things up with his cunning turners, but it was Adam Mulroy who made the breakthrough in the 29th over. The first wicket changed the game and further wickets started to tumble rapidly, Romiley stumbling to just 149 all out from 43 overs the familiar figure of Andrew Roscow the leading wicket taker in the game with 3.
At 32 for 3 and with so many players absent, the target seemed a long way off, before Chris Roscow and Kevin Boyle came to the crease. Boyle had been Ashton’s best performer in the heavy defeat at Davenham the previous day scoring 26 not out and taking all 3 Davenham wickets in a disappointing league display where Ashton posted a meager 118 which was never going to challenge the home side. Boyle’s performances in both weekend fixtures continued to cement his all rounder status in Ashton’s 1st team. The pair put together a healthy partnership, Roscow particularly depositing several sixes to all corners of the ground. The youngest brother of the 3 Roscows celebrated his maiden half-century for the 1st X1 in an 88 run partnership before Boyle fell for 31. James Compton on 1st team debut hit a valuable 13 and helped Ashton to their target in the 38th over, Roscow finishing on 61.
For the 2nd week in succession Ashton’s 2nd team found themselves the shot puppy as Davenham this time took advantage of the flaw in the new points system in rain affected matches. The side winning the toss will always bat first when rain is around and no longer suffers any penalty for batting on to 45 overs. This week it left Ashton just 37 overs to try and chase down 161 in another frustrating on and off game. Adam Mulroy bagged another 4 wickets whilst Dave Webster and Bill Lowes also bowled well at a useful time of the season with the Cholmondley fixture on the way next week. A valiant effort by the side missing several unavailable players and skippered by the 4th captain in as many weeks, saw Ashton finish just 19 runs short. Rob Greaves hit an unbeaten half-century and James Compton weighed in with 36 not out. Ashton lost only 4 wickets in the pursuit but like the previous week it was just not enough overs to force a deserved win after the rain deductions.
Sunday at the Beets saw a fine knock of 58 from Ben Bramwell with excellent support from a number of the U15s playing in the 3rd X1 game, but Hyde's target of 161 proved too much as Ashton fell 34 runs short. Having won the toss and elected to bowl, Dan Weston's decision appeared to be vindicated as his tight own opening overs, with good support from Mark Duncan, saw both Hyde openers back in the shed inside 8 overs with the score on just 20. This brought two of Hyde's youngsters to the crease who then proceeded to give Israr Qazi (on debut) and Gary Lomax the stone wall treatment as they looked to rebuild the innings. After an economical spell of away swing from Qazi, yielding just 10 runs from 8 overs, the ball was handed to Azad Rizvi with the score on 55-2 off 25. Az, his eyebrows looking perhaps even more resplendent than usual, proceeded to hoodwink the Hyde youngsters with his left arm wizardry, picking up three wickets inside his first five overs. With Alex O'Gara building up a head of steam from the Pavilion end things were looking good for Ashton as the visitors reeled on 77-5. But the rush of wickets brought two of Hyde's more dangerous batsmen into the middle, Lomax & Hatton, the heavyweight pairing opened their shoulders as Hyde decided to bat on past 45 overs. Two late wickets from Weston and one from Lomax helped Ashton to a 4th bowling point but failed to stem the flow as Hyde finished on 161-8 from 48.3 overs. Ashton got off to a disastrous start losing both Weston & Handy in the first four overs. There then followed a stand of 31 dominated by a fluent 15 from young Greg Gyves as Ben Bramwell scratched for form at the other end. Tom Jolly then joined Bramwell and they soon went about compiling the day's largest partnership of 66. Bramwell began to find his form and brought up his 50 in the 29th over with two successive sixes into the golf course. At the other end, Jolly tipped to be the next Marty Mosley, was nudging, nurdling and blocking his way towards a gritty 20 on debut (motivated no doubt by the promise of a hard cash reward from his dad for a double figure knock)! When Bramwell was finally out for 58, followed by Alex “sunbed” Dowdy, the wheels looked in danger of falling off. Fortunately, another U15 in the shape of Alex O'Gara stepped up to the plate and joined Jolly in a rearguard action. Jolly was unluckily given run out while taking evasive action, but by this time the draw wasn't in doubt, O'Gara finishing on 9 not out and Ashton on 125-7 from their 41 overs.
Week 6 - Ashton castled by cheeky Cholmondley
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 133 all out
Cholmondley 1st X1 139 for 9
Ashton on Mersey suffered an agonisingly close defeat last Saturday against a Cholmondley side 3rd in the division 1 table. Despite only 20 points being available for a win if you bat second, an overcast morning led the skipper Anthony Roscow to elect to bowl on a wicket offering serious sideways movement to all bowlers and it took just 7 overs before Evans departed courtesy of a superb Kevin Boyle catch. However, after the first wicket, some fruitful partnerships were established on a day where catches were dropped and edges did not quite go to hand, Hockenhull (24) and Middleton (36) riding their luck to lay a relatively strong base to the innings. It took until 89 for 2 in the 26th over before Ashton took a strong foothold in the game, when a period of tight bowling from Mosley and Boyle built up pressure back upon Cholmondley, which leg spinner Anthony Roscow then took advantage of. Roscow produced some significant turn gaining his best figures of the season with 4 for 17 as Cholmondley reached 139 for 9 off their 45 overs.
Ashton's conundrum this season so far has been their top order batting which has too often not delivered, and again on Saturday low confidence was evident with none of the top 5 putting any real impression on the Ashton scorecard. It was again, the in-form all rounders who came to their aid, Chris Roscow hitting his second half century is as many weeks. Kevin Boyle as usual provided the more mischievous side of the double act as the pair took Ashton to a winning position. However, a cruel ending was to follow as Cholmondley managed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. With just 10 runs to win, 7 wickets down and time not an issue, Kev Boyle was dismissed and the 9th wicket soon followed. Chris Roscow was on 60 not out but couldn't see Ashton over the finish line as he fell to a fine catch with Ashton just 6 short.
Ashton's 2nd's meanwhile reversed the result at Cholmondley after coming back from the dead to record the only Ashton win this weekend. In similar conditions to those as Little Ees Lane Cholmondley skipper Mal Holman was quick to invite Ashton to bat. After Robinson and Parry had got Ashton off to a quick start with 24 coming off the 1st 5 overs, a collapse followed to vindicate Holman's decision and leave Ashton in big trouble on 47 for 5 with Steve Youngs swing bowling too hot to handle. The absence of several top order batsmen (Fielding, Barrow, Lowes, Birch) seemed to be taking it's toll although Birchy was singing and dancing more than usual as he and Emma toasted the arrival of Hannah Elizabeth (8 lb, 12 oz) in the early hours following the game.
Rob Greaves played a solid innings of 43 to hold the middle order together but it was Ashton's last pair of Adam Mulroy (36 not out) and Simon Pomfret (16 not out) who really put Ashton back in the contest with an unbroken final wicket stand of 48 to leave Ashton 144 for 9.
It then became the all new "Dave Webster show" as the veteran bowler set about emulating Steve Young who had finished with 7 wickets for the opposition. Webster bowled with raw pace, bounce and accuracy to send one Cholmondley player back after another, only captain Mal Holman able to keep out the firey Ashton opener. After an economic spell by Simon Pomfret, Adam Mulroy chipped in with 3 wickets with a tidy spell of swing. As usual Holman survived the propitious end of 2 LBW shouts to finish battered and bruised on 54 not out, but with Webster (7 for 42) in this form the Cholmondley skipper was always going to run out of partners, as Webster wiped out the tail to leave last years champions 95 all out and ruing their 4th defeat already this season.
On Sunday whilst most A-O-M members were struggling to shake off the "casino night" fog, a young 3rd XI were "gambling" through monsoon-like conditions on the M60 to reach the tropical oasis that is Marple but the "chips were down" on the day for skipper Weston. Having won the toss and put Marple in, Weston & Duncan struggled to hit a length and the home side got off to a flyer - reaching 74 without loss after ten overs! Israr Qazi came into the attack and settled straight into a groove despite bowling into a hurricane-force head-wind whilst at the other end, Azad Rizvi opened up with a wicket maiden thanks to a smart stumping by Greg Gyves. Gyves followed this up by snaffling a gloved catch in Qazi’s next over, but unfortunately the new batsman was bizarrely given not out following some ground-breaking new interpretation of the "caught" rule - the umpire playing his "joker" in a "rummy" deal.
There then followed a sustained period of tight bowling backed up by some sharp fielding that saw Marple reeled back in to 119-2 at 25 overs. But having bowled excellently with little reward, Qazi was forced to withdraw from the attack with a cut finger - finishing with 1-29 off 10. From this point on things went swiftly downhill; as Marple’s "top trumps" began to accelerate and Ashton’s bowling & fielding became ragged. Hurst (86) and Hulme (72) with a "Solitaire showdown" 134 partnership for the 3rd wicket before Alex Turner and Greg Gyves combined well to run out Barker in the 39th over. The duo then teamed up again as Gyves bagged his second stumping and 3rd victim of the day (Hulme) to complete his "3 card trick." A second wicket for Turner saw him finish with 1-13 as Marple declared on 240-5 off 40 overs.
Absentees saw Ashton send in their third different opening pair in as many weeks in the guise of Rhind & Dowdy but the result was similar, both being bowled inside the first five overs. This brought together Gyves and Qazi who proceeded to lift Ashton’s gloom in a superb partnership of 64. Playing only his second innings for Ashton, Qazi showed a reluctance to run between the wickets, much preferring to "chase the ace" and pummel the ball across the ropes while staying firmly anchored to the crease! At the other end, young Gyves was making things look simple and impressing all those watching with his technique. Qazi fell for 40 (including 8 fours) as he chased one big shot too many and Gyves who was run out for a chance-less 28 soon after. Ashton’s young middle order contributed well, with Jolly (15) and Warburton (19) both batting well. O’Gara (11) and Duncan (11) landed some lust blows but ultimately it was a "bridge" too far as Ashton fell well short as they were all out for 150. The cards were being cruel.
Week 7 – “I don’t want to bat 3 mate, I’d like to bat four!”
Oakmere 1st X1 105 for 4
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 104 All Out
Ashton on Mersey are finding life tough in division 1 this season. Their top batsman Steve Eastham hit 105 not out in a Sunday friendly this week but that was more than he and the rest of the side managed between them on Saturday when they visited top of the league Oakmere. The innings started steadily for Ashton, with the two opening batsmen Anthony Roscow and Aidan Miners putting on a steady 28 for the first wicket in good batting conditions. However 4 wickets in just 3 overs followed from batsmen low in confidence at present. Paul Eastham scored a useful 24 in the context of the game, before throwing away the opportunity to build a big score, by gifting cover fielder Eton with a simple catch. Ashton's lower order have bailed out the batsmen on many occasions this year but on Saturday is was a dull performance throughout the card as they were dismissed for 104. With such a low score posted, it was never going to be enough to defend, and Roscow used his bowlers in quick rotation in order to try and make the break through. However the Oakmere batsmen saw the game home in a comfortable fashion, losing just 4 wickets in the process.
Ashton's 2nd X1 however continued their winning run and went 4th in the table with what turned out to be a comfortable win against an Oakmere side who themselves are riding high in Division A. After Oakmere had made a decent start with 32 coming from the 1st nine overs, Bill Lowes joined the attack and with Dave Webster the pair frustrated Oakmere's attacking instincts, but it was Tom Kelsall playing only his 2nd game this season who replaced Webster at the pavilion end and began a 14 over spell which was to deliver superb figures of 8 wickets for 24 runs. Bowling through the rest of the innings with Lowes, Kelsall proved the key man to leave Oakmere disappointed as they were dismissed for 131.

Oakmere's bowling has been their strength this season and Ashton's openers Robinson and Samaru were put through an early barrage of pace and swing bowling with the new ball. Nick Ball and the excitable Jameel Kara produced a tight opening spell and the pressure finally told as Ball struck twice in 3 balls. However seasoned campaigner Mark Samaru who had dropped down from the 1st X1, was playing his archetypal anchor role and held things together with the more flamboyant Rob Greaves (26). When Greaves fell with the score on 54 Oakmere were still well in the game but Ben McDonald quickly began to take it away from them with a stylish knock of 47. Samaru ended on 44 not out as Ashton recorded a 6 wicket win with 10 overs to spare in a thoroughly professional all round display.
On the back of two good batting performances in recent weeks, and with a strong line up bolstered by the presence of Harris Snr., Compton & Marsden, Weston had no hesitation in electing to bat. Woodford’s young opening bowler Evans found late movement in the air and off the surface beating the bat with regularity, but Harris & Warburton knuckled down and rode their luck. After a few sighters Harris began to move his feet and after a tight start, the Woodford fielders found themselves despatched all around the boundary. Meanwhile, young Man United convert Warburton went about his business at the other end to lend good support in an opening stand of 64.
After Warburton played around a straight one Woodford turned to slow bowling of the loopy variety in the form of Ainscough. Pretty it may not have been, but his first three overs accounted for both Compton and Rhind. At the other end, Bomber fell one short of a well-deserved fifty, as Azad ‘John Wayne’ Rizvi obliged Woodford’s appeal for LBW. This brought together the oddly mismatched pairing of Dave Marsden and Alex O’Gara with the score on 87–4. Sporting his Guiness-stained shirt and Carribean wide-brimmed sunhat, Marsden started slowly but soon began to get into his stride. O’Gara continued his good form from the mornings U15 game, playing watchfully and avoiding the temptation to go aerial. By the 30 over mark they’d taken the score along to 133 and were, with exception of Dave’s beetroot-like complexion, in little difficulty. Woodford’s bowling and fielding became ragged and both batsmen accelerated with ease, one particularly memorable moment being a Marsden pull for six with a shot reminiscent of his halcyon days with the reaper bat. O’Gara notched up his first senior fifty at the same time as the hundred partnership before being bowled for 54. Marsden ran out of steam and was run out for 37 but the damage was done and Ashton were able to declare on 213-6 off 43 overs.
Woodford seemed reluctant to begin their innings as they lingered over tea, Viv's chocolate cake proving galvanic as Woodford came out blazing. Weston’s first over was despatched for 12 and at 28-0 off 4 there was little evidence of stitching! Weston came back well to pick up the dangerous Tames for 14, following it up with a double wicket maiden to peg the visitors back to 43-3. Mark Duncan bowled with good pace and great control but little luck as he somehow managed not to pick up a wicket. Egglestone bowled well en debut, but eventually it was the experienced campaigners Rizvi (2-32) & Lomax (2-9) who managed to get the wickets falling again. Lomax picked up the all-important wicket of Walker for 30 thanks to a sharp catch from Harris in the covers and Rizvi tempted Sheen into one shot too many to be snaffled up by Mark Duncan. By this time Woodford had given up any pretence of chasing the runs and it was just a case of winkling them out. Matt Warburton demonstrated his all round potential with an excellent 5 over spell of seam that saw him picking up wickets 8 and 9, but try as they might Ashton couldn’t knock over number ten.
Davenham hosted Ashton's Fun Day X1 on Sunday as the clubs continued to rebuild relations following the notorious "battle of the beamers" fixture in 2005. Matt Jones and Fahim Rashid had controversially hospitalised 3 Davenham batsmen that day, but Jones undertaking not to bowl and an assurance that the Ashton committee had taken the matter seriously by retiring the volitile Rashid at the age of only 24, led the Davenham committee to relent and reinstate the fixture. However their ostracision my be reimposed after an unbroken stand of 174 between Marty Mosley and Steve Eastham fired Ashton to a 9 wicket mauling.
Under the captaincy of Kevin Boyle the match proved a great opportunity for 1st XI batsmen to get into some kind of form, whilst also blooding new juniors into the longer version of the game, with the likes of Michael Savage and Hamzah Zafar getting their first tastes of senior cricket. Dec Boyle hasn't bowled in the last 2 second team games and used the practice to good effect taking the first two wickets in the innings before the inimitable Brian Jones got rid of their valuable middle order, with his tidy line and length deliveries. Some indifferent yet still cool bowling from Ben McDonald meant that the Davenham batsmen were able to set a good foundation although Kev Boyle putting down 2 dolly's didn't help Ben's figures. Michael Savage came back at the end, and took two wickets and settled the Davenham score down to 184 off the 40 overs.
In a potential "2007 season Champage Moment" contender Matt Jones, turned down the opportunity from his skipper to bat at 3, considering himself to not have that same damaging effect in that position, favoring the number 4 role as more suitable for expressing his attacking strokes. In the event Jones was only to feature in the pad rash sense. Eastham who has struggled to discipline himself into building an innings at 1st team level this year took out his frustrations on Davenham's young attack as the Chemistry graduate turned his bunson burner to full heat. Living up to his nickname, "Eats shoots and leaves" Panda Eastham followed up his hearty tea with a destructive century, inflicting Pearl Harbour like carnage on the young Davenham bowlers, particularly going after their 13 year old girl. Marty Mosley had opened up the innings with his padowan learner Tom Jolly, and after his prodigy had been struck down, nudger Mosley was soon overtaken by the hungry Panda. Scampering between the wickets like a hare on heat, Mosley was never going to keep up with eager Eastham, but did manufacture a redivivus knock himself of 63 not out as Ashton eased home inside 28 overs.
The fertive Panda meanwhile signed off cricket for a fortnight with 105 not out - 2 weeks of classic Eastham bacchanalia in Malia awaits with the twins competing for the best of what esoteric, unstylish, slavishly academic, dorky darlings Crete has to offer.

Week 8 – More Webby please cry the lovies
Ashley 1st X1 99 all out
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 101 for 3
Ashton on Mersey 1st's bounced back from a recent poor run of results last Saturday and it was local rivals Ashley who were on the receiving end. The fortunes of the 2 sides have been similar in recent years with both sides gaining 2 consecutive promotions to division one, and Ashton have repeated proven Ashley bogey side what seems to be an annual game for the pair, regardless of division.
Ashton were boosted by the return of club captain Mark Timms after a long injury lay off and having lost the toss Ashton were asked to take the field in the afternoon heat. However skipper Barber was soon to regret his decision to bat, as a spectacular batting collapse saw Ashley shot out for only 99 after being 72 for 2 at one stage. Craig Knight (29) and Liam O’Doherty (33) had set a good foundation but constant pressure from what is becoming an ever more impressive Ashton bowling attack finally told on the Ashley batsmen. The Little Master leg spinner, Anthony Roscow, came together with the accurate swing bowling of Martin Mosley and as the runs dried up the wickets clattered, Roscow particularly destructive with 4 for 28 . Seamers Andy Roscow (3 for 18) and Kevin Boyle then did a useful job of cleaning up the tail to ensure the Ashley total was kept under 100.
From 28 for 2 Ashton were determined not to repeat their collapses of recent weeks and the Roscow brothers kept their nerve and guided Ashton home in what was at times a firey encounter in the second innings. Anthony hit 36 not out and Andrew replaced Martin Mosley (15) to score 29 not out as Ashton recorded their 3rd league win of the season by 7 wickets.
Ashton also outplayed Ashley in the 2nd X1 fixture to record 17 points in a game that saw Ashley's last pair hang on to see out the overs batting second. A tight bowling attack had made it hard work for Ashton who had limped to 59 for 5, only Robinson and Greaves with 16 each keeping out the away-swing bowling of Power, and the quickfire Nick Holt whilst Ryan Tute's inswingers brought the youngster 2 wickets of his own. Steve Barrow returned to Ashton's line up after a injury lay off to play a captains innings and steer Ashton back into it, well supported by Pete Birch (13) and then David Webster who hit 33. A calamitous run out between Webster and Barrow however cut short the skippers return. Webster, momentarily forgetting that his skipper isn't exactly Linford over 22 yards, instantly called for two leaving the captain stranded half way down the wicket and out for 41. A useful 19 not out from Bill Lowes helped Ashton to 175 to 9 and maximum batting points at the close.
In the 2nd half Ashley never got into the game as Webster (4 for 15) quickly ripped through their top four batsmen before having to retire with a strained groin. Those who saw Webby's torn hamstring episode at Parkside 2005 will be aware that he is notorious for famous academy award winning routines when sustaining injury, and Webster was keen to out-perform that virtuosic board-treading moment, treating the Ashley crowd to a BAFTA winning epic portrayal of classic thespianism. Combining Alec Guiness's "What have l done" death scene from 'Bridge over the River Kwai' with Anakin Skywalker's "Take off my mask" dramatics from 'Jedi,' Webster indulged his captive audience with an extraordinarily breath-taking 'dying swan' recital, before taking a bow and retiring to take the plaudits at 1st slip, under-study Adam Mulroy - enter stage right. There was little let up for Ashley as Mulroy took three of the next four and Tom Kelsall had the dangerous Andy Murray caught behind for 16 to leave Ashley deep in trouble at 78 for 9. Ashton thought they'd won it after Greaves stumped Holt off Dec Boyle, but the verdict was not out and Ashley hung on for 7 points closing on 101 for 9.
Dan Weston's fledgling 3rd's gained their 1st outright win of the season but were not about to make chasing down Romileys 121 look easy in a 19 wicket thriller at the Beets. Having lost the toss and been put into the field, Ashton quickly set about making the most of the swing-friendly conditions on a humid day and it wasn't long before Weston made the early breakthrough in his second over and was well supported by fellow opener Mark Duncan before Lomax joined the fray to pick up a wicket in his first over. A second for Weston saw mid-table Romiley struggling on 43-3 off 15 and the pattern was now set, Romiley losing wickets steadily as tight seam bowling continued to dominate (Weston 8-3-15-2, Lomax 8-3-21-2, Warburton 5-0-27-1). Romiley briefly threatened to rebuild with a 6th wicket partnership of 40, but it was quickly stubbed out by the team's spin king Azad Rizvi. Mister President, eyebrows simply stunning against the back-drop of sun reflecting on a short outfield, gained figures of 3-14 helped by some smart glove work by Bramwell before claiming to have taught Anthony everything he knows about spinning it. With Romiley on 121-8, Gregg Gyves stepped up for his first senior bowl of the season; two balls later, Romiley were 121 all out.
Despite the confident atmosphere in the home dressing room at tea, it soon became clear 121 was far from a formality as Romiley’s opening bowlers roared in on what was proving an increasingly difficult surface. After an early wicket Parry & Warburton consolidated well with a second wicket stand of 31. Once Warburton was out for 13, Ashton’s innings lurched along in a similar manner to Romiley’s via a combination of accurate seam bowling and poor batting. Fortunately, gutsy innings from Parry (29) and Rhind (22*) stopped the wheels falling off. Even so, when the 8th wicket fell with the score on 89, 121 looked a long way off, but not to Gary Lomax. Gary came to the crease with one intention and after a couple of swings & misses that threatened to disturb global weather patterns for decades to come, Lomax began to connect. He only made 16, but it totally altered the context of a low-scoring game. Rizvi joined Rhind with 10 required having proudly told everyone on the boundary that he once got 76 runs (he failed to stipulate over what time-frame). 6 overs of squeaky bums followed and eventually Rhind called Azad through for a quick single to seal the match but forgetting that Rizza moves slower than your granny on the stairs found his partner still parked up next to him at the non-strikers end. Luckily, Az known as "Knight-Rider" for more than one reason, turned on his turbo-boost and windmilled through to snatch victory and 25 points.
Week 9 - 1st's Batting crisis deepens
Poynton 1st X1 204 for 6
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 203 for 8
Ashton on Mersey's 1st X1 batsmen used the Cheshire Cup Round 3 to try and get themselves back into some kind of form after a dismal first 2 months of the season with the willow. The nadir of their sword-work came on Saturday against top of the table Stockport Georgians where only Matthew WIlkinson managed double figures in a resounding and frankly embarrasing thrashing. Yet 24 hours later the team were keen to show they're not boxing above their weight this year giving Cheshire County Division 1 opponents a run for their money in the Cup. Despite defeat, Ashton rattled up 203 for 8 batting first and will be hoping they have now turned the corner. Steve Eastham (82) and Aidan Miners (26) took just 7 overs to pass the entire team total from the day before, whilst Martin Mosley (33) and Paul Eastham (21) were two of several batsman to get in some useful time at the crease.
For long periods in the 2nd innings the game was in the balance but Ashton were always a wicket or 2 behind where they needed to be against the classy Poynton side of 2 divisions higher. Andrew Roscow got 3 wickets, Christopher, Anthony and Kevin Boyle 1 wicket a piece but Poynton got home in 40 overs.
The 2nd X1 was washed out at Stockport Georgians but the ground had dried sufficiently for the 3rd team fixture to go ahead on Sunday at the same venue where they continued their excellent recent run with a
comfortable victory. In the early stages it had not looked likely as Ashton slumped to 19 for 4 off 10 overs, but Dec Boyle with 41 and Greg Gyves with 30 batted Ashton right back into the innings before setting the stage for an explosive last third. Ben Bramwell smashed 52 off 32 deliveries and Matt Rhind was not about to be outscored with 28 not out off 16 balls as Ashton closed on 174 for 8. Ashton used 8 bowlers in the second innings but it was Gareth Parry's away-swingers that did the damage. Parry took 5 wickets, Gyves 2, and there were 1 each for Boyle, Lomax and Rizvi asthe Georgians were cleaned up for 121.

Week 10 - Ashton come up short again.
Marple 1st X1 146 all out
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 132 all out
Ashton travelled to Marple, where the home side had scored no fewer than 200 runs each week this season in what has helped them to gain a 3rd place spot fighting for promotion to the County League. Ashton however, with their strength in their bowling attack had no qualms in asking the strong line-up to bat first, knowing that they would not find it so easy after days of rain.
This proved to be the case with a good bowling performance, especially from pace triumvirate Andy Roscow (3 for 41), Chris Roscow (3 for 38) and Kevin Boyle. Tight bowling in key stages of the match allowed Ashton to restrict their opponents to just 146 runs. However, had all catches and chances been taken, the total could have been far fewer with several catchable chances going down. The ground fielding was good however with Ashton executing three run outs, including one from the final ball of the innings to leave Marple all out in their allotted overs.
Embarking on the run chase, there seemed to be more hope after a sterling cup performance against a Poynton side two divisions higher the Sunday prior. However, despite Steve Eastham's brilliant innings of 66, the total proved to be once again just out of reach, with four out of the top five adding just 2 runs for their wickets. Within Eastham's fine batting display though, Ashton were always in with a fighting chance, and some key runs from Matthew MacGibbon and Paul Eastham brought Ashton to within a fighting chance of winning the game. The dropped catches in the first innings came back to hurt Ashton as an excellent run-out from bowler J.Cash left Ashron stuttering just 14 runs behind the Marple target.
Ashton's 2nd X1 remain within one point of second place in Division A after a 20 point win against mid-table Marple. With the pitch having sweated under the covers for 4 days, Steve Barrow invited Marple to bat first but an unusually languid bowling and fielding display helped Marple to a decent score. Ashton's firey strike bowlers Tom Kelsall and Dave Webster were both carrying groin strains and between them bowled with the pace of a snail with a hang-over. However an excellent catch by Mark Sumaru in the gully off Webster started a procession of early wickets and some accurate, if only half pace, bowling from Kellsall reduced Marple to 54 for 4. However Ashton failed to capitalise on their start, Webster withdrawing from the attack with his injury whilst Rob Greaves had to give up the gloves in the 14th over after cracking a finger, Joel Harris filling in as 12th man.
Chris Bailey with 63 put together his usual classy innings supported by Edwards with 24, but Ashton kept pluggling away through Adam Mulroy and Bill Lowes who bagged 3 wickets each as Marple were eventually bowled out for 174.
The second innings was all about a professional batting display led by Mark Samaru who showed all his experience timing the run chase to perfection. He and Robinson put on 56 in 14 overs before Robinson was caught at slip, after which Matthew Fielding carried on the support role with 32. After Fielding was out three more wickets followed included Sumaru for 80, but any hopes Marple had of getting back into it were soon dispelled as Nathan Gowans took over the lead role hitting 26 to take Ashton to a 5 wicket victory with 2 and a half overs to spare.
Heavy rain washed out the 3rd X1 at Bramhall before a ball was bowled. The Sunday X1 match at home to "Manchester Olympic Bid X1" lasted 20 overs before the heavens opened to finish that one.
Week 11 - Wash Out
Week 12 - Boyle strutts his River Dance Classic
Ashton-on-Mersey 133 for 6
Alvanley 128 All Out
Ashton on Mersey completed the "double" over Alvanley and lifted themselves out of the relegation zone as the season entered it's second half last Saturday. In the opening match of the season Alvanley had slumped to 23 for 5 batting first but they were keen not to repeat that as Bennion and Pickersgill put on 58 off 12 overs for the first wicket, the Roscow brothers disappointed to come up blank on a difficult batting track after a week of monsoon style weathers. A bowling change saw the effusive Kevin Boyle strike with his 2nd ball whilst the accurate swing bowling from Mosley began to suffocate their runs from the other end. Boyle picked up 3 of the top 4 batsmen to finish with 3 for 24 and leave Ashton's Leprechaun Lad dancing the Shamrock Samba. Meanwhile Andy Roscow (4 for 19) returned to wipe out the tail with a devastating 2nd spell, only 2 of the Alvanley order making double figures apart from the openers. Matt MacGibbon finally got rid of opener Bennion performing his own version of Groundhog Day with 41 in as many overs to leave Alvanley 128 all out.
Ashton's shaky batting was again evident in reply as 3 wickets from Shewring reduced Ashton to 69 for 5 despite Aidan Miners producing some useful runs at the top of the order, the Eastham brothers came and went to leave the game in the balance. Martin Mosley whose calculated batting style would be needed on such a grafting wicket if Ashton were to be seen home. Mosley showed he was prepared to battle it out and see his team home battling superbly throughout the innings to make a dog-eared 34 not out, supporting amply at the end of the innings by Chris Roscow who played his usual free and easy innings, smashing a six to finish the game in the 42nd over to himself finish with 23 not out. The win gave a vital 20 points to Ashton, which has helped them rise above rivals Ashley and Prestbury to hopefully start a winning streak that will take them away from danger.
Ashton's 2nd team lost at Mere to record what was their 1st defeat away from home since September 2005. Steve Barrow's side paid the price for player consistency with 12 of the squad not available for selection meaning a largely scratch side took to the field without any recognised pace bowlers. Adam Mulroy and Gareth Parry took the new ball but their medium swing bowling wasn't suited to the sticky wicket on which a "dig it in" bowler would have filled their boots, and too many over-pitched deliveries were promptly punished by Bill Blackburn (47) and Mark Barrett (35), the Mere top order getting more driving practice than if they'd booked a block of lessons with BSM. Meanwhile skipper Ben Owen, a cunning exponent of the back foot drive, hit an impressive 58 not out. The innings did improve for Ashton, Declan Boyle, Bill Lowes (3 for 50) and Ben MacDonald bowling reasonably but Mere closed on 195 for 6 which on a difficult batting track was to prove highly competitive.
Robinson looked well set with 17 before a stunning slip catch from Owen dismissed him and after a stagnant period Gareth Parry loosened his arms and got going to hit 31 before being stumped. Ben MacDonald (14), Dec Boyle (22) and Adam Mulroy (21) got the score up to 128 but too many Ashton batsmen went cheaply and they were bowled out with 3 overs to spare.
Week 13 – Unlucky for Ashton
Malpas 1st X1 150 for 6 20
Ashton-on-Mersey 1st X1 149 for 8 Dec
Ashton on Mersey travelled to the far corner of Cheshire to take on high-flying Malpas, knowing that they were dealt a lesson in batting in the season's previous encounter.
Put into bat by the opposition skipper, Ashton made a useful start, Miners (37) and Steve Eastham putting on a solid opening partnership, before Eastham was unlucky to find himself caught by a flying Malpas wicket keeper with the score on 35. Anthony Roscow's dip in form continued though and after Miners edged a delivery onto his own stumps Malpas wwere working themselves into the game. Martin Mosley put together a typically solid innings and provided the anchor role for other more fluent batsmen to play around but only Chris Roscow with 42 not out made any real impact which left Ashton on 149 for 8 off their 45 overs.
With Malpas having put in a score well over 200 at The Beets earlier in the season, Ashton knew that it would be a difficult to defend. Some sharp work from keeper Carter meant an early breakthrough sending the Malpas opener back in just the third over. However, Walker and Crichton turned out to be yet again the thorn in Ashton's side, with drops from both Mosley and MacGibbon and a missed stumping proving costly to halting Malpas' attempt to chase the runs down. Anthony Roscow finally dismissed Crichton for 46 which began to spark a fight back and panic within the Malpas ranks, and when Walker went not long after, it was a very tense last few overs for the Malpas batsmen, but they eventually reached the 150 total for the loss of 6 wickets.
2nd X1 and 3rd X1 - rained off.
Week 14 – Rained off
Week 15 - Winning weekend all round for Ashton
Runcorn 1st X1 139 all out
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 145 for 5
After rain had washed out the entire league programme in 2 of the last 4 weeks, Ashton on Mersey were keen to get back to playing cricket as they travelled to Runcorn. Only rain prevented a victory against them earlier in the season and on a track looking somewhat bowler friendly after Runcorn's groundsman had walked out on them a week ago, skipper Mark Timms had no hesitation in putting the Runcorn team into bat.
Early breakthroughs were made with Andrew Roscow taking two in the space of 5 overs, the second of which saw the Runcorn player leave a delivery that swung back and took out his middle stump. Chris Roscow was also unlucky to see a catch go through his older brother Anthony's hands from the very first ball of his spell. However, the next two batsmen stuck around for some time, and were beginning to put a valuable partnership together and although change bowlers Anthony Roscow and Kevin Boyle probably bowled their worst spells this season, it somehow culminated in three crucial wickets at a key time, including a wicket for Boyle that was taken at square leg by a full stretch Paul Eastham in mid flight. A complicated run out and some cleaning up of the tail by the ever present Andrew Roscow accounted for the rest of the Runcorn wickets as they were dismissed for 139 in their allotted 45 overs.
As the season has been progressing, the Ashton batsmen have been steadily learning the art of building an innings in this division, and this innings was perhaps the best the team had put together for some time. Even with key batsman Steve Eastham in the shed early and Aidan Miners receiving a controversial LBW decision, skipper Mark Timms and vice skipper Anthony Roscow began to build a quality partnership slowly creating a base from which the total could be chased down. Timms batting up the order for the first time in a while chipped in with a crucial 30 runs at a time when they were needed most, before mis-cueing a hook shot and being caught within the cover region. Anthony Roscow also just fell shy of his first fifty of the year, making 45 before hitting a full toss to mid off. This just left ample time for Paul Eastham and Matt MacGibbon to finish the game off in style, with both hitting crunching boundaries, Paul Eastham, finishing the game with a six in the 42nd over.
In the reverse Division A fixture at Little Ees Lane, Ashton's 2nd's had to grind out a victory having also invited Runcorn to bat first. On a sticky wicket Runcorn took some early advantage of some buffet bowling in the first 4 overs but Tom Kelsall and Gareth Parry soon got into their stride and the runs dried up putting pressure on Runcorn openers. Bennett who had scored 50 in the fixture earlier this year holed out to Mulroy off Kelsall for 6, before Hydrycz was unlucky to be dismissed. The ball looped up off the wicket keeper's helmet to be caught at slip by Robinson, but under law 32.3 if the ball has touched a protective helmet worn by a fielder any catch should not stand. Soon after however things evened out when Bebbington was caught by Boyle at short leg, only to be recalled from the dressing room by acting skipper Rob Greaves after some debate about whether the ball had carried. From 49 for 4 off 18 the game settled down, Lindhill with 29 and Chapman with 26 sparking a middle order revival. However the last 10 overs belonged to Ashton as Bill Lowes ripped through the tail to take 5 for 24 well supported by a constrictive spell by Dec Boyle as Runcorn were bowled out for 146.
Rob Greaves opened the batting himself with Mark Sumaru the pair having put on over 200 the one and only time they had opened together 4 years ago when they played for Lindow. However the attempt to recreate their salad days backfired as Sumaru was caught early at silly mid off and Robinson ran out Greaves to leave Ashton 4 for 2 off 4 overs and Runcorn whooping and rampant. With some ammends to make, Mark Robinson and Ben MacDonald established a foothold in the game putting on 29 before MacDonald became the next controversial wicket of the day, caught off a high beamer which should have been called no ball. Gareth Parry and Matt Wilknson chipped in with useful partnerships with Robinson but when Mulroy became the 6th wicket Runcorn could smell victory. However at the other end Robinson was busily building a wet wicket masterclass and soon after when he brought up his 50 with a six over mid-wicket, Runcorn realised they were going to have to get him out to stop Ashton winning it. Robinson and Dec Boyle put on 36 with some sublime running between the wickets and when Boyle lost his off stump for the 7th wicket Ashton still needed 20 to win. Far from being overawd, 15 year old Mark Duncan arrived at the crease and dispatched opening bowler Warder back over his head for four, before going on to finish with 10 not out playing more than a useful support role to Robinson who ended with 79 not out to wrap it up with 3 overs to spare.
On Sunday Ashton's 3rd X1 recorded a resounding victory against mid-table Marple to extend their unbeaten run to five consecutive games. With more come-backs than Beryl Harrop to his name, Mike Buckley playing his first game for 3 years opened the batting with Matt Fielding and the pair got things off to a great start, Buckley quickly back into the grove and looking his old solid self on the same sticky track the 2nd's had found tough to bat on the day before. Fielding executed some elegant cover drives off Marple’s attack as the pair put together a fifty partnership. Shortly after though Marple’s Parkinson (who went on to complete a 24 over spell in what was his 1st match this season) snuck one through Fielding’s defences to bowl him for 19. Alex O’Gara fell shortly afterwards, trapped LBW on his crease again by Parkinson, bringing Steve Barrow to the crease. Buckley was unlucky to be caught behind off a brute of a delivery for 31, the ball rearing up off a length and taking the glove. He was quickly followed by a parade of middle order batsmen – including the first LBW dismissal of James Compton’s career, leaving Ashton 6 down and in trouble. Fortunately, Matt Rhind continued his good batting form, looking in complete control and successfully finding the right balance of attack & defence on his way to an excellent 25. Having scratched around for his runs against the dangerous left-arm Parkinson, Barrow cut loose late on to top score with 35 not out. Although the last three wickets went cheaply, Ashton’s 154 was always going to be difficult to overhaul on a track with such variable bounce.
As in the reverse fixture, Marple’s dangerous opener Hurst arrived at the crease swinging from the hip at virtually every ball. Mark Duncan was unlucky not to have him caught in the 3rd over, but a superb forward diving catch in the gully from Matt Warburton in the returning Dave Boughen’s next over soon had hapless Hurst back in the hutch. From thereon in the result rarely looked in doubt. Excellent spells from Boughen (3-16), O’Gara (1-11), Barrow (3-23) and Lomax (2-8) were backed up by some really tight fielding. It ultimately fell to Mark Duncan (1-15) to bag the final Marple wicket and complete a great weekend for Ashton.
Week 16 - Davenham dominate Ashton
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 156 for 9
Davenham 1st X1 199 for 7
Ashton on Mersey took on a Davenham side strengthened by wandering starlet David Ashley return to their ranks in recent weeks following a half-season spell at Barnton. Despite a strong batting line-up from Davenham, Ashton chose to bowl first, hoping for an easier second innings chase. Andy Roscow for once struggled to find his line and length but Chris Roscow came out of the traps flying bagging the classy Louis Bently for 22 with the score on 29. Roscow then ripped out the Davenham top order, leaving them 60 - 4 after 15 overs. However the aforementioned Dave Ashley (65) and all-rounder Jackson (51 not out) put on a 122 run partnership for the 5th wicket, in a stand that swung the game in the favour of the visitors. Chris Roscow finished with 6 for 59, although it was not enough to stop the Davenham team amassing 199 from their 45 overs.
Ashton themselves came out all guns blazing, with opener Steve Eastham dispatching a straight drive back over the head of bowler Dean Jackson. He carried on his cavalier innings, making a quickfire 26 before being adjudged LBW to Jackson. Skipper Timms also carried on in his recent form, making 34 and nudging Ashton closer to the total before Ashton lost their way with a series of quick wickets lost in the middle of the innings leaving Ashton 154 for 8 with 5 overs left. Martin Mosley (40 not out) and Andy Roscow took a decision not to gamble for a win from that point and bat out the remaining overs.
With run-away leaders Brooklands all but champions of Division A, Ashton's 3rd placed 2nd X1's hopes of the runners-up spot nose-dived with defeat at Davenham, their worst bowling display of the season giving Ashton no chance of defending the 165 for 9 they had posted. Nathan Gowans, who always scores runs at Davenham, hit an aggressive 48, building on a solid foundation provided by Robinson (26), Buckley (18) and Sumaru (14), but nobody really got going around him other than Dec Boyle with 18 and Matt Rhind with 15 not out at the end.
On a dusty and crumbly yet grassy track with uneven and generally low bounce, Ashton felt their total would be enough but Davenham came out slogging from the start, an approach their players conceeded was the best way to bat on their unpredictable wickets. However it didn't help that Ashton's bowlers were not at the races, Mike Kouris (38) and Mike Butters (20) the first Davenham pair of Dashers and Thrashers to feast on the buffet bowling as the home side raced to 67 for 0 off 11 overs. Having given them that kind of start there was no way back for Ashton, although Dave Webster did find his feet and start to bowl well taking out both openers to record 2 for 45 off 13 overs. However the flamboyant Tom Screen (27) and the more textbook left hander Chris Hornby (46), continued the push towards the total before both falling to Steve Barrow's off spin, the skipper getting significant turn off the green wicket. Bill Lowes grabbed a wicket at the end to leave Davenham 5 wickets down when they reached their total with time to spare.
The 3rd X1's X1's winning run also came to a sticky end last weekend as Dan Weston's side went down at Woodford, the home side posting 153 all out, Adam Mulroy and the evergreen Gary Lomax each bagging 3 wickets a piece. However only Matt Fielding (25), Dave Boughen (17) and Dan Weston who with 22 not out eventually ran of partners made telling contributions as Ashton were bowled out for 120.
Week 17 - Pain in the rain
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 95 for 6
Oakmere 1st X1 155 for 7
With most of the cricket calendar rained off Ashton on Mersey 1st and 2nd X1's both defied the conditions and played reduced over games at weekend. The 1st X1 match at Little Ees Lane against Oakmere was one of only two games to go ahead in Division 1, top of the league Oakmere particularly keen to maintain their position and not lose ground with partial points an abandonment earns.
In steady rain Oakmere didn't hesitate to bat first having won the toss in a 29 over per side affair. WIth 3 Roscow brothers all on holiday Kevin Boyle opened the attack but found it difficult to bowl with control and pace with the wet ball. David Webster who has not played 1st X1 for 2 years however bowled a tidy 2 wicket spell whilst Martin Mosley grabbed a 1st hat-rick of his career, as leg side stumping from Dave Carter completing the tripple as the visitors reached 155 for 7 from their allotted 29 overs. With a significant change in the light along with now heavier rain by the time Ashton came out to bat, chasing down such a large target was never going to be achievable. They did however manage to hold onto the draw, with some middle order batsmen able to gain some valuable time at the crease, reaching 95 for 6 off their 29 overs.
In Division A only 3 matches took place and in hindsight Ashton's game as Oakmere should have been abandoned also. In lighter rain Ashton hit 157 for 5 in the rain reduced 30 overs. After a tentative start with 12 coming from 6 overs, Mark Robinson launched veteran Mike Cushion for a huge six which is said to have landed somewhere near Weaverham and came back with a bus ticket on it. That set the pattern for the openers to then increase the pace, Mark Samaru (29) and Robinson (38) adding a further 56 from the following 9 overs before both falling to cathes in quick succession. Steve Barrow with 37 and Gareth Parry (20) and Pete Birch (17 not out) continued the momentum to give Ashton a challenging total.
The conditions in the 2nd half ranged from ridiculous to treacherous which at one point resulted in the bat flying at the mid wicket fielder. Phil Nelson dropped from the Oakmere 1st team was out to prove himself hitting a classy 82 after also opening the bowling earlier and grabbing 2 wickets. Although impossible in the conditions, Ashton bowled and fielded poorly, 3 catches going down as Oakmere aqua-planed to an 8 wicket win.
Week 18 – Damp Squid
Ashton on Mersey 1st X1 95 for 6
Oakmere 1st X1 155 for 7
With most of the cricket calendar rained off Ashton on Mersey 1st and 2nd X1's both defied the conditions and played reduced over games at weekend.
The 1st X1 match at Little Ees Lane against Oakmere was one of only two games to go ahead in Division 1, top of the league Oakmere particularly keen to maintain their position and not lose ground with partial points an abandonment earns.
In steady rain Oakmere didn't hesitate to bat first having won the toss in a 29 over per side affair. WIth 3 Roscow brothers all on holiday Kevin Boyle opened the attack but found it difficult to bowl with control and pace with the wet ball. David Webster who has not played 1st X1 for 2 years however bowled a tidy 2 wicket spell whilst Martin Mosley grabbed a 1st hat-rick of his career, as leg side stumping from Dave
Carter completing the tripple as the visitors reached 155 for 7 from their allotted 29 overs. With a significant change in the light along with now heavier rain by the time Ashton came out to bat, chasing down such a large target was never going to be achievable. They did however manage to hold onto the
draw, with some middle order batsmen able to gain some valuable time at the crease, reaching 95 for 6 off their 29 overs.
In Division A only 3 matches took place and in hindsight Ashton's game as Oakmere should have been abandoned also. In lighter rain Ashton hit 157 for 5 in the rain reduced 30 overs. After a tentative start with 12 coming from 6 overs, Mark Robinson launched veteran Mike Cushion for a huge six which is said to have landed somewhere near Weaverham and came back with a bus ticket on it. That set the pattern for the openers to then increase the pace, Mark Samaru (29) and Robinson (38) adding a further 56 from the following 9 overs before both falling to catches in quick succession. Steve Barrow with 37 and Gareth Parry (20) and Pete Birch (17 not out) continued the momentum to give Ashton a challenging total.
The conditions in the 2nd half ranged from ridiculous to treacherous which at one point resulted in the bat flying at the mid wicket fielder. Phil Nelson dropped from the Oakmere 1st team was out to prove himself
hitting a classy 82 after also opening the bowling earlier and grabbing 2 wic