ASHTON-on-Mersey first XI had a rollercoaster weekend as they crashed to a heavy defeat in the Cheshire Cricket League Division One only to bounce back to win a thrilling Cheshire Shield quarter-final.

In the league, an out-of-sorts Ashton collapsed after being asked to bat on a bowler-friendly pitch by visitors Congleton. Only skipper Lee Brooks showed an appetite for the fight as Ashton crashed to 69 all out.

Congleton strolled to an eight-wicket victory to embarrass the home side as they closed on 73-2.

But Sunday saw Ashton shake off that disappointment to win a thrilling contest against Parkfield Liscard from the Liverpool Competition.

Once again Ashton were asked to bat, but unlike the league match they showed great resilience to build a solid total against some fiery fast bowling.

Tom Scott led the way with 61 with the only down side being the failure to bat out the full 45 overs as the home side were bowled out for 199.

In reply, Parkfield built carefully against the home attack, led expertly by Josh Knowles who took two early wickets. Slowly but surely the visitors increased the pace and looked favourites with 10 overs to go.

But Knowles returned to rip out the middle-order, finishing with 5-30.

With all results possible in the final over Ashton held their nerve to limit the visitors to scrambled singles, finishing with a memorable one-run win as Parkfield ended on 198-9.

Ashton will be looking to take their cup form with them when they return to their league campaign on Saturday at Port Sunlight.

Meanwhile, the second XI continued their successful season with a comfortable win at Congleton.

Bowling the home side out for 161 (Alex Lewis 50, Mike Roberts 4-29) Ashton reached the target for the loss of six wickets (Connor Kelly 78).

The club's women's team lost to Stockport Trinity Fire by 53 runs in the Cheshire Women's Cricket League Twenty20 Eastern Division last week.

Stockport posted 139-3 (Carys White 28ret, Gaby McKeever 28ret, Sarah McCann 25ret, Hattie Roberts 21 not out) in in reply, Ashton only reached 86-3 (Azure Wilkinson 27no).