Ashton victorious

Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Ashton were soon in trouble as the pace of Scott Howarth accounted for three of the top four batsman with just 28 runs on the board.

Fortunately for Ashton, opener Mike Roberts was at his obdurate best, refusing to be shaken by Howarth’s frequent use of the short ball.

In partnership with Ed Faulkner, Roberts kept Ashton in the game, as together they took the score to 125, before both Roberts (54) and Faulkner (59) perished while trying to increase the run rate.

The base had been built, however, and skipper James Marshal took full advantage to hit a quickfire 39, taking Ashton to maximum batting points and a decent total of 191-8.

Howarth underlined his credentials as one of the best seam bowlers in the league with figures of 5-57.

In reply, Cheadle Hulme set off aggressively in pursuit of the target but soon found Ashton’s own paceman, Craig Stow, not to be outdone in the seam-bowling stakes.

Stow, who has bowled some fine spells for Ashton this year with little luck, ripped through the top order, taking the first four wickets to leave the hosts struggling on 61-4.

Riswan Javid dug in to try to salvage the innings, but wickets fell regularly at the other end as spinner Faulkner (4-32) joined Stow to maintain Ashton’s hold on the game.

Javid was last man out for a battling 57, as Cheadle Hulme were all out for 152 giving Ashton the victory by 39 runs.

Stow finished with 5-40 – his best figures of the season.

The battle of the second XIs at The Beets saw Cheadle Hulme come out on top.

They made 164 (Alex Reid 48) before Ashton reached 142 all out (Reid 6-23).

The thirds fell to a heavy defeat at Bowdon as the hosts made 218-8 (Will Heylin 87, Harry Vogt 5-32) before Ashton were all out for just 65.

The ladies' XI fell just short in a thrilling encounter with Stockport Georgians.

Georgians totalled 171-8 (Beth Garnett 81 not out) before Ashton made 167-6.