ASHTON on Mersey’s Cheshire Cricket League Division One promotion challenge ended as they fell to a five-wicket defeat against league leaders Romiley at The Beets.

Losing the toss and being asked to bat first, Ashton started brightly with a superb attacking display by openers Alex O’Gara and Ben Davies.

O’Gara was in excellent form as he hit the Romiley bowling to all parts of the ground for a rapid 55.

But when he fell with the score on 99, the Ashton innings faltered.

Two more quick wickets prompted the runs to dry up, as Sam Astley found the right pace and length to exploit what little there was in another excellent Ashton batting track.

Davies perished for 47 trying to re-establish some momentum and the rest of the batting line-up failed in their attempt to hit themselves out of trouble.

The innings subsided to a below-par 162, with the admirable Astley posting figures of 5-22.

In reply, Romiley shrugged off the early loss of opener Tom Rolph, with Stuart Milne and Badrock demonstrating the calm and sensible batting that was missing from the Ashton innings.

The Romiley duo moved the reply to 106 before Milne went for 56.

Ashton sniffed a chance as they took another three wickets in quick time but Mark Flatley joined the immovable Badrock to see the visitors home to 166-5.

Badrock remained undefeated on 66 as Romiley’s win secured them a promotion place.