HALE Barns first XI suffered a miserable nine-wicket defeat to Cheshire Cricket League Division One promotion rivals Ashton on Mersey at Brooks Drive.

Jordan Collins made an impressive 33 to save some pride for Barns, but the visitors eased to the required target to continue Hale’s winless home record so far this season.

Batting first, the hosts made a poor start as youngster Ben Staniforth was bowled by Josh Knowles for just one in the second over of the game.

Knowles enjoyed more success when he trapped Clive Collins (five) lbw as Mersey restricted the score to 20-2 from the opening 10 overs.

Chris Colley and Shehan Fernando attempted to rebuild the innings, but the latter became Dan Higgins’ first victim for 14.

And wickets continued to tumble with regularity, with Higgins (3-33) removing Colley (25) and Oliver Latter (four), while Ben Hicks fell second ball for a duck to Jamie Wilmshurst.

Wilmshurst (4-18) then claimed three more wickets in quick succession to reduce Barns to 80-9 after 30 overs.

Jordan Collins provided stern resistance and received support from Joe Fretwell-Walsh (nine not out) as the duo put on 28 for the final wicket.

But Collins was finally sent back to the pavilion by Knowles (3-19) for a well-made 33, with the home side setting a target of 109 to win.

Hale were in desperate need of an early breakthrough if they were to put any pressure on the Mersey batsmen, but Alex O’Gara and Ben Davies comfortably saw off the opening bowlers.

Dave Saddington introduced himself into the attack with a wicket maiden as O’Gara was caught for 18 with the score on 25-1.

But that was as good as it got for Barns as Davies continued to accumulate and was joined at the crease by James Lines (38no).

Both finished unbeaten, with Davies (55no) completing a classy half century, as the away team convincingly reached the required total with 17 overs to spare.

The result sent Ashton on Mersey into the promotion places in second, while Hale Barns fell to fifth – 27 points adrift of Romiley in top spot.