ASHTON-on-Mersey fell to a seven-wicket defeat at Port Sunlight on a day when the toss and dreadful early batting conditions decided the Cheshire Cricket League Division One clash.

Ashton were asked to bat on a damp track being dried by the sun that meant for the first 30 overs it was a case of survival and a hope serious injury did not occur.

Skipper Lee Brooks led from the front, grinding out runs while taking several blows to the body and Alex O’Gara hit out to some effect, despite being struck on the head.

With even spinner Martin Naylor (5-33) getting exaggerated bounce, Ashton found themselves playing roulette on a surface which was, in the eyes of many observers, unfit for play.

By the time the batting conditions became easier the damage had been done to the Ashton effort and they were bowled out for 102.

In reply, early wickets fell to the excellent Ben Johnson, and Ashton were disappointed to have a number of other strong appeals turned down.

As the pitch conditions continued to improve, Port Sunlight’s batsmen eased their way to the target and finished on 103-3, recording a win which owed as much to luck as to cricket ability.

Ashton will be hoping for better fortune and far better conditions when they visit Disley on Saturday.

The mood was brightened by a superb seven-wicket victory for the second XI at home to promotion rivals Bollington.

Bollington made 251-6 (Matt Dawson 102, Mark Weighill 3-63) before Ashton surpassed their target with 252-3 (Tom Scott 71 not out, Dave Patterson 68).

The thirds lost a nail-biter as a last-wicket partnership between Adam Miah and Ben Brazendale fell just two runs short at Hyde.

Hyde made 164-9 (Nathan Elly 113no, Harry Vogt 4-25) before Ashton were 162 all out (Kian Hunt 4-37).