ASHTON on Mersey kept their unbeaten Cheshire Cricket League Division One record after a draw against title rivals Stockport Georgians at The Beets.

Losing the toss and being asked to bowl, the early honours went to Ashton with Mike Roberts and Josh Knowles keeping a tight grip on the Georgians' opening batsmen.

The visitors began to come to terms with the change bowling, with Matt Hunter taking advantage of anything loose.

Riding their luck, Georgians hit out before Roberts (2-33) returned to dismiss Hunter for an excellent 91. The innings closed on 203-9 which, on a good batting surface, was about par.

But in a disappointing effort, Ashton’s powerful batting line up for once failed to spark, and some poor shot selection saw wickets fall at regular intervals.

Chris Dodd made the most of what little there was in the wicket to bowl an excellent spell of 4-25.

Only Fred Kamstra came to terms with what was required to post an elegant 83, falling to Dodd in a vain attempt to drag Ashton over the line.

James Locke benefited from Ashton’s lack of application to pocket 4-39, and in a dramatic last over the final Ashton pair held out as the hosts closed on 164-9 to deny Georgians what would have been a deserved win.

With results elsewhere going in their favour, Ashton remain in the title race and will be looking for a more focused performance when they visit Hale Barns on Saturday.

The Ashton 2nd XI maintained their fine start to the season with a comfortable 10-wicket victory at Middlewich.