Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League - Division 1 (From Messenger Newspapers)

Ashton-on-Mersey CC – 1st XI – 77 all out lost to Runcorn CC – 1st XI – 112 all out

2:56pm Monday 3rd September 2012 in Sport

Ashton-on-Mersey CC – 1st XI – 77 all out lost to Runcorn CC – 1st XI – 112 all out ASHTON on Mersey crashed to a heavy defeat in their vital clash with Runcorn at ‘The Beets’.

Batting first the visitors lost three wickets for 16 runs before Mark Cahill and Steve Ollerenshaw counterattacked.

Both batsmen fell for 31 runs, Ollerenshaw being given lbw to teenage quickie Luke Turner.

Spinner Mike Roberts’s excellent spell of 3-15 off 12 overs helped keep Runcorn’s total down to 112 with the ever reliable Alex Hewet finishing with figures of 5-54.

In reply Ashton crashed from 57-3 to 77 all out through a mixture of good bowling, poor shot selection and lack of calm heads. Steven Sheakey was the bowling pick posting 7-25.

This poor performance leaves Ashton teetering on the brink of the relegation battle with two weeks left of the season. Next week’s match against Ashley will define their season.

In the second team fixture Ashton lost by 78 runs at Runcorn, Chasing 151 to win (Andy Booth 58, Rob Hedge 6-21, Ollie Chow 3-65) Ashton on Mersey were bowled out for just 71 (Mark Samaru 31, Colin Lloyd 3-2).