ASHTON-on-Mersey’s rollercoaster season continued, as they slumped to a disappointing Cheshire Cricket League Division One defeat at Stockport Georgians but the following day stormed to a magnificent semi-final win in the Cheshire Shield.

In the league match Ashton’s seamers ran riot to dismiss the home side for 96, the best bowling from James Marshall (5-13) and Ben Johnson (3-43) only to see their own batting effort crumble.

With two direct-hit run-outs adding to Ashton’s woes, some good bowling from James Locke (4-21) and Chris Dodd (3-37) reduced them to 61 all out.

Ashton will be disappointed key decisions went against them on a day when 10 batsmen fell to lbw.

Shaking off the league result, Ashton travelled to Shield holders Northwich on Sunday, as underdogs against the team from the County League.

Winning the toss and bowling first, Craig Stowe produced a fiery opening burst to claim both openers for ducks.

With Ben Johnson at his probing best the Northwich reply stuttered, and the introduction of spin twins Dave Corps and Mike Roberts saw no let-up in the pressure cricket Ashton were delivering.

Some magnificent fielding by Akash Patel led to two run-outs as Ashton turned the screw.

Northwich skipper Mark Walker was the only batsman to look comfortable as he hit a fine 83.

Walker fell to Andy Roscow, who bagged 4-47, as a late flurry of runs saw Northwich finish on 162-9.

The Ashton reply was a model run chase, as all players showed an application which was missing in the league game.

Marshall (39) and Stow (30 not out) brought the target within sight and with rain clouds gathering, Josh Knowles hit the winning boundary in the final over to record a four-wicket victory as Ashton closed on 164-6.

Ashton will face Romiley in the Shield final at Romiley on 13th August.

Elsewhere, Ashton Ladies celebrated England’s magnificent World Cup win by putting in another battling performance against Cheshire Women’s League Division One/Two Cross Divisional table-toppers Oakmere.

The Ashton team, who made 94-7, eventually fell to a nine-wicket defeat against a powerful home side who had the better of conditions.

With Carol Ingham the batting pick with 30, the performance showed the progress of women’s cricket at Ashton.

Thriving in a supportive atmosphere, the Ashton ladies' squad contains both experienced and developing cricketers.

It is open to all women and girls who want to take up the game and more details about getting involved are available by emailing aomclub@hotmail.co.uk.