ASHTON-on-Mersey ladies bowler Jordi Matthews had a weekend to remember with back-to-back hat-tricks in successive days.

Playing in the men’s second-team match at Davenham, she took a hat-trick, all bowled, though her efforts were vain vain as the seconds fell to defeat against the league leaders.

But Matthews' weekend was not finished. Playing on Sunday for the ladies XI she repeated the feat, again taking a hat-trick all bowled.

This time she led the team to victory against top-of-the-table Leigh, to round off a superb couple of days for one of the club's rising stars.

On Saturday, the first XI bounced back after last week’s setback to record a fine win in an entertaining Cheshire Cricket League Division One game at The Beets.

Choosing to bat first, Ashton had reason to worry when they lost James Lines to the first ball of the game and skipper James Marshall for a duck soon after.

But Akash Patel and Ed Faulkner steadied matters with a 50 partnership, with Patel in particular impressing with a measured but positive innings.

When Patel fell, Faulkner took up the challenge to deliver an innings which would eventually decide the game. Playing with calm authority, Faulkner smoothly went through the gears to establish control over the bowling.

Supported by Alex O’Gara and Peter Hatzoglou, Faulkner moved to an unbeaten century, allowing Ashton to declare on 238-4.

It was a fine effort by Faulkner which showed his developing class with the bat.

In reply, Kingsley were rocked by the loss of early wickets with Matt Bradshaw and Hatzohlou reducing the visitors to 34-4.

But Kingsley showed huge spirit to continue the run chase when others might have tried to bat out for the draw.

Making the most of yet another excellent batting surface, clean hitting saw the score mount.

Ben Ainsworth led the charge with an assault on the home bowling, and he was unlucky to fall two runs short of what would have been a deserved 50.

Patrick Phelan gave the crowd an entertaining cameo that at one stage brought Kingsley within sight of a memorable win, but Ashton stuck to the task and completed the win with 20 runs to spare.

Hatzoglou took the bowling honours with figures of 4-60 as Kingsley were all out for 218.

Ashton will be looking to continue their promotion push when they travel to Oakmere in the next round of league matches.

Meanwhile, Ashton ladies will be hosting a free Women’s Prosecco Softball Cricket event at The Beets tomorrow and it is open

to all players from beginners onwards.

For details visit the club’s Facebook page at facebook.com/ashtonon.merseycricket/