ASHTON-on-Mersey held on for a draw on another challenging batting day against Haslington at the Beets in Cheshire Cricket League Division One.

Opting to bowl first, Ashton soon saw reward as they removed five of the first six Haslington batsmen for single figures.  But opener Joel Unsworth steadied the ship as, with luck on his side, he hit a fine 47 before falling to Ben Johnson.

With the score stuttering, Ben Twemlow decided to hit out at the Ashton support bowling, belting several sixes in a game-changing assault.

When he fell for a rapid 77, Haslington were well set, finishing on a more than useful 183-7.

Three wickets apiece for Johnson and James Marshall and an impressive opening spell from Craig Stow were the bowling highlights in the Ashton attack.

In reply, Ashton’s recent batting woes were in evidence as the top three were dismissed early.

Lee Brooks and James Line staged a fightback before both went in quick succession.

Another middle-order collapse followed and it was left to the tail to see out the final overs for the draw as Ashton closed on 136-9.

Issuru Perera put some of his top-order colleagues to shame with an unbeaten 43 and Tom Gledhill’s figures of 4-18 were well deserved.

The second XI also came up short as they fell to defeat at Cheadle Hulme.

Cheadle Hulme were 140 all out (Josh Knowles 4-36) before Ashton finished on 116 all out (Phillip Balderstone 4-30).

Ashton’s thirds won a thrilling encounter against Ashley as they chased down a challenging total with overs to spare.  Ashley made 200-4 (James Semple 60 not out, Michael Burgess 52) before Ashton reached 202-7 (Lee Griffiths 98).

The weather defeated the Ashton Ladies at Appleton, with play being abandoned at the interval after they had made just 52. Ashton are looking to expand their successful women’s squad and have places available for those with all ages abilities and experience.

Supported by fully-trained coaches, and with equipment provided, anyone wanting to join should email onaomclub@hotmail.co.uk