ASHTON-on-Mersey stormed to a comprehensive 139-run victory at struggling Irby to keep up the pressure in the Cheshire Cricket League Division One title chase.

Ashton’s team was much changed due to injury and unavailability but the strength of their squad shone through on a glorious day on the Wirral.

Opting to bat first, the loss of two early wickets did not deter Ashton in pressing on to a significant total.

Lee Brooks and Tom Scott (43) built a solid foundation, allowing an acceleration down the order led by Craig Stow (41) and Josh Knowles.

With all the batsmen contributing it was an excellent example of a team working for each other to post what would be a match-winning score of 214.

In reply, Irby found the Ashton attack too hot to handle.

Stow and Ben Johnson (4-21) set the standard and the rest of the Ashton attack kept up the pressure on a wilting home side.

With Knowles and Dave Corps bagging a brace apiece, Dan Higgins stepped up to claim the final wicket thanks to an excellent catch at short leg by Josh Coleridge as Irby were bowled out for 75.

It was a fine performance by Ashton, shrugging off the imposed changes to the side to record what could be a vital win.

Ashton's second XI made it a maximum-points Saturday as they won a thrilling contest against Lindow at The Beets. Ashton were 275 all out (Connor Kelly 110, Connor Kearney 53, Matt Ramsden 4-67) before Lindow ended on 186 (Ian Park 82, Isuru Perera 4-28, Lee Heap 3-54).