ASHTON-on-Mersey had to settle for a draw for the second week running despite some excellent batting at the Beets against Barnton in Cheshire Cricket League Division One.

Choosing to take first knock on another excellent Beets wicket, the Ashton openers, James Lines and Alex O’Gara, got the home team off to a flying start before Lines fell playing one shot too many.

Both James Marshall and Ed Faukner tried to maintain the early momentum but they both fell foul of pressing too hard too early, leaving the Ashton innings at the crossroads on 93-3.

But with O’Gara adopting a mature approach to the task, and Tom Scott providing an aggressive yet measured response to the Barnton bowling, Ashton saw their score mount.

O’Gara was outstanding, posting a partnership of 144 with Scott before falling for a magnificent 128.

Scott remained not out on 74 as Ashton once again racked up an imposing total of 265-6.

In reply, Barnton soon demonstrated their ambitions were limited to batting for bonus points rather than chasing the target.

Wickets fell regularly, but admirable opener Paul Coot remained steadfast and guided his team towards safety.

Try as they might Ashton could not find the answers to get through the Barnton middle order.

The home team’s cause was not helped by some chances not being taken and by the time Coot fell for a gritty 77 the hope of the win had gone and the visitors closed on 165-7.

Ashton will again look at this game as one where a greater cutting edge to the bowling and a little more luck in the field would have translated a dominant performance into a win.

They will be looking to up their game when they visit table-topping Stockport Georgians in the next league game

The second XI produced a fine performance to beat a strong Lindow team.

Ashton scored 206, while Lindow reached 132.