ASHTON-on-Mersey fought out a creditable draw against Cheshire Cricket League Division One table-toppers Stockport Georgians on a rain-affected day at The Beets.

Winning the toss and choosing to bowl first after a delayed start, Ashton found it difficult to find the right length in the opening overs.

Georgians openers Ned Bailey and Nick Johnson made full use of anything loose to post a 50-run partnership before Ben Johnson removed his namesake.

Bailey found another willing partner in Adam Keane and they took the score to 144-2 before Keane fell to spinner Mark Weighill.

Spin was the key to Ashton’s fightback. Weighill was joined by fellow tweakers Ed Faulkner (4-41) and Mike Roberts to leave the the Georgians middle order in chaos as they lost six wickets for just 44 runs, including Bailey for a fine 75.

Some late-order hitting from Oliver Ormerod saw Georgians through to 222-9 – a good total given the conditions.

In reply, Ashton set off brightly before a tumble of wickets saw them reduced to 41-3.

But Tom Scott was on hand to play another stabilising innings in the Ashton middle order, allowing the home side to move to comparative safety.

After Scott went for a patient 30, skipper James Marshall took command to play a fine attacking innings, which took the game back to Georgians.

Hitting the ball to all parts of the ground, Marshall remained undefeated on 58 as the shortened game concluded in an honourable draw with Ashton closing on 169-8.

This was a game with many positives for Ashton, who competed well against a team who have outplayed most in the league this season.

They will be looking to take this form into their next game against Cheadle Hulme.

Elsewhere, the second XI fell to defeat at Neston.

They made 133-8 (Isuru Perera 61) before Neston finished on 133-4.