ASHTON-on-Mersey stormed to a comprehensive eight-wicket victory as they dominated Haslington with both bat and ball at The Beets In Cheshire Cricket League Division One.

Being asked to bowl first, Ashton’s opening attack of Craig Stow and Josh Knowles kept a tight lid on the Haslington opening batsmen, restricting the visitors to just 23 off the first 10 overs.

With Ashton sharp and alive in the field, Haslington struggled to build an innings, with only Jack Moran (40) looking comfortable against the Ashton bowlers.

The introduction of spinners Ed Faulkner (4-38) and Mike Roberts (4-22) saw the game swing decisively in Ashton’s favour and only some hard lower-order hitting allowed Haslington to muster what was to prove a below-par 157.

In reply, Ashton’s openers Akash Patel and James Lines launched a furious assault on the Haslington bowling, rattling the scoreboard along at eight an over.

With the visitors shell-shocked, Patel (64) and Lines (61) entertained with some power hitting, allowing Ashton to coast home in 20 overs, finishing on 159-2.

This was one of the most dominant performances by an Ashton team in recent years and they will be relishing the trip to Port Sunlight this weekend.

The second XI made it a double winning Saturday as they beat Bollington by one wicket in a tight finish.

Bollington made 121 (Lee Heap 5-41) before Ashton replied with 122-9 (Jos Collier 5-26).

The thirds fell to defeat at Disley after the hosts made 196-5 (Madusha Wettasinghe 122), Ashton were 115 all out.

The ladies also struggled against a strong Didsbury XI, bowled out for 78 before Didsbury reached 82-2.