DROPPED catches and roller-coaster batting saw Ashton on Mersey fall to their first defeat of the season losing by four wickets to Poynton.

Choosing to bat first on a firm surface Ashton’s usually potent top order batsmen collapsed dramatically against a steady Poynton attack.

With the first four wickets falling for just 13 runs, Ashton were indebted to a James Lines 50 to restore some decorum to the innings.

But after Lines went, the innings slumped again to 118-8 before a fifty partnership between Sam Timbs (61) and Mike Roberts took the total to a modest 169. James Williams 4-52 took the bowling honours.

Poynton’s reply got off to a flying start with Paul Gould severe on anything loose.

But as the Ashton attack found their rhythm the runs dried up and wickets fell.

The turning point came when, with five wickets down, Ashton dropped straightforward catches off both Gould and Nathan Baker.

When Gould eventually fell for fine 92 the job was done and Poynton cruised to the win with three overs to spare. Timbs completed a fine personal performance with 4-67.

Ashton will be disappointed at this performance but their bonus points from the game kept them in 2nd place in the league, only 2 points behind leaders Barrow.

The Ashton 2nd XI had more joy, beating Poynton by 140 runs. Ashton 289-9 (Ryan O'Brien 97, Akash Patel 78, Ric Carpenter 5-100) Poynton 149 all out (Sam Gupta 5-57).