SOME inspired bowling by Zohaib Khan helped Ashton on Mersey seal an impressive victory over Cheshire County Cricket League Division Two leaders Lindow.

The seam bowler recorded figures of 5-34 which included an excellent opening spell where he claimed the wickets of both openers.

Khan was part of a triple seam attack that also included Jake Walker and James Marshall who exploited a pitch which had pace and bounce to help bowl the leaders out for 115.

In reply, Ashton’s depleted battling line-up made hard work of reaching their target but with Mike Roberts playing another solid innings, the home side rallied round to eat away at the required total.

At 70-2 Ashton looked favourites but a rattle of wickets in the middle order set the nerves on edge. When Roberts departed for a gutsy 38, there were fears that Ashton would fall short, but skipper Marshall took control and saw his side over the line with two wickets to spare.

After the poor results over the last two weeks this was a hugely impressive performance from Ashton who visit Alvanley at the weekend.

Sale firsts suffered a disappointing defeat at Macclesfield after bowling the home side out for 186. James Dodds with 3-57 was the leading bowler.

Nothing went right after the break as Macclesfield skittled Sale out for 96 where Connor De’Ath top scored with 26 on his first team debut and Dodds added an unbeaten 20 to his wickets in the first innings.

The seconds consolidated second place in Division One of the Cheshire County League with a win over Timperley.

Batting first, Sale closed on an imposing 220-7 after openers Dattu Vadakutte (38) and Ben Watkin (54) got them off to a fine start, putting 87 on for the first wicket.

Grant Whittaker (30) and skipper Gareth Watterson (37) added late runs to add to the total.

Timperley slumped to 47-5 – with leg spinner Rick Halkon taking four of the wickets – and despite a late rally, Sale wrapped up the victory.

The thirds' match at Hyde and the fourths' encounter with Widnes were both rained off.