ASHTON-on-Mersey produced a powerful performance to record a comfortable win at Barnton which moves them into the promotion places after four weeks of the Cheshire Cricket League Division One season.

Choosing to bowl first, Ashton kept a tight grip on proceedings from the start with only opener Paul Coot finding any joy with the bat.

Once Coot fell to the probing seam of Andy Roscow, the Ashton spinners got to work to shape the course of the game.

Ed Faulkner and Peter Hatzoglou both asked questions to which the Barnton batsmen had little answer.

Barnton’s Matt Gosnell dug in to try and stem the tide, but the introduction of Josh Knowles accounted for him, allowing Faulkner and Hatzoglou to run through the rest of the side.

Faulkner finished with 5-20 and Hatzoglou 3-20, helped in no small part by a slick performance from wicketkeeper Dave Patterson who bagged three stumpings as Barnton were skittled out for 110.

In reply, an untroubled 92-run opening partnership between Akash Patel and Mike Roberts emphasised the gulf between the teams.

Patel fell for an excellent 62, leaving the unruffled Roberts to see the win out, finishing unbeaten on 33 as Ashton eased to 113-1.

The win once again emphasised the strength in depth of the first-team squad and they will be looking to keep their challenge on track in the next league game against NE Cheshire.

The Ashton second team had a difficult day, losing by eight wickets to Tattenhall at The Beets.

After making just 109 (Matt Rhind 48), Tattenhall eased to 110-2.

The thirds recorded a fine victory in their first league match of the season on Sunday, chasing down 202 to beat Elworth by two wickets.