ASHTON-on-Mersey comprehensively outplayed Stockport Georgians at The Beets, but had to settle for a draw as the visitors dug in on an overcast day in Cheshire Cricket League Division One.

Choosing to bat first, Alex O’Gara launched a ferocious attack on a Stockport attack diminished through injury.

O’Gara hit 86, at better than a run a ball, to demoralise the early league leaders.

With contributions from all of the Ashton middle order, the home side cruised past 200 before a final assault by skipper Lee Brooks (76 not out) saw the total climb to 257-6.

In reply, Hayden Bailey (45) and Andrew Splatt (56) batted with intent from the start, challenging the run rate, and at 128-1 there was an outside threat to the target.

But the introduction of spin twins Mike Roberts (3-23) and Dave Corps (3-32) ripped the heart out of the Stockport innings, leaving a win in sight.

However, Stockport’s old hands James Locke and Chris Dodd dropped anchor to deny Ashton the victory while maximizing their own batting points as they reached 184-7.

Despite a fine performance the home side were left pondering a points system that saw them take only one point more from the game than their opponents, despite the vast difference between the scores.

Ashton will be looking to continue their good form next week when they travel to Haslington.

In the second XI fixture between the clubs, a century for Stockport’s Jon Keogh in their total of 241-5 proved too much for Ashton, who made a good fist of the chase but fell to 180 all out.