With Ashton on Mersey 1st XI without a game after Upton CC declined to travel to The Beets during the Greater Manchester Covid-19 lockdown, the 2nd XI raised the spirits with a fine 38-run win at Widnes.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, Ashton got off to a bright start with Matt Rhind and Asim Khan in fine form.
Rhind dominated proceedings with a hard-hitting 50 before departing, leaving the Ashton middle order to take advantage of the good position he had built.
Henry Murray (39) and Dave Patterson (37) played fluently to move the score along, before Akash Patel hit out to increase the run rate in the final overs. Patel finished unbeaten on 37 as Ashton closed their innings on 228-7.
The home bowling stuck to the task with George Harry taking advantage of the late dash for runs to finish with 4-30.
Widnes set off in pursuit of the target with opener Billy Webb attacking from the start.
Webb hit a splendidly aggressive 67 at better than a run a ball, before falling to Ryan Carey with the score on 111.
After that the home side kept up the chase but fell behind the run rate as wickets tumbled at regular intervals.
Quick bowler Henry Blease finished with the best figures of 3-42 as Widnes fell short of the target, ending their innings on 190-8.
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