Meller Braggins Cheshire Cricket League - Division 1 (From Messenger Newspapers)

At “The Beets”

12:20pm Monday 14th May 2012 in Trafford Sport

Ashton-on-Mersey CC – 1st XI 225-4 drew with Winnington Park CC – 1st XI – 174-8.

A maiden century by Ashton on Mersey captain Alex Turner was not enough to force a win against newly promoted Winnington Park.

Ashton on Mersey were invited to bat on a pitch which promised help to the bowlers after another wet week. The home side struggled in the early overs thanks to an aggressive opening spell by young Australian Matt Alexander well supported by his fellow paceman Tom Speak.

The hosts slumped to 29-3, including the wicket of last week’s hero Alex Hewet for just a single. This brought Jaan Shanaka to the crease to join Turner who had started cautiously in response to the conditions. Between them the pair saw off the opening attack and then increased the tempo against the Winnington Park change bowling.

Turner and Shananka turned the match around with a partnership of 119 before Shananka departed for an excellent 49. Lee Brooks helped Turner maintain the momentum scoring a quick fire 32, but it was Turner who stole the show, hitting a 6 of the penultimate ball of the innings before scampering a couple of the final ball to finish on 100 not out. The promising Alexander was rewarded with figures of 3-58.

In reply Winnington Park were positive from the start, with contributions from Greg McKeown (23) Jonny Wales (28) and captain Mike Johns (24) combating the home bowling attack led by Hewet and Joel Harris.

Wickets fell regularly and at 85-5 the home side had strong hopes of forcing a win, but an excellent counter attacking 53 off 37 balls by Pete Evans helped Winnington Park survive, finishing 51 runs short of their target. Dan Higgins (3-49) and Alex Hewet (2-36) were the leading wicket-takers.

Ashton on Mersey take 16 points from the game, putting them in equal 4th place in the table ahead of next week’s visit to Hale Barns.

Meanwhile the 2nd XI won a low scoring game at Barnton by 3 wickets. (Lee Heap 6-26, Lee Griffiths 55 not out.) to go 2nd in Division A.