Ashton on Mersey fell to defeat in an entertaining game which ebbed and flowed throughout the day at Haslington.

Having lost the toss Ashton were invited to bat first on a pitch which provided plenty of help for the bowlers in the early overs.

The excellent Imran Khan made the most of the conditions and with support from Jack Taylor, the home side reduced Ashton to 3-33, despite a battling effort from opener Tom Anders.

Ed Faulkner and James Lines rebuilt the innings, punishing anything loose to add 47 for the fourth wicket.

When Lines fell, Faulkner worked with the rest of Ashton’s middle order to try and take advantage of improving batting conditions. With James Marshall providing some aggressive hitting, Ashton ended on a respectable 160-7 - Faulkner remaining unbeaten on 69.

In reply, Haslington found themselves in trouble as Ashton seamer Jake Walker took three early wickets leaving the home side teetering with only nines runs on the board.

But Ben Istead and Jack Taylor led the home side’s recovery, posting a 50 partnership before Taylor fell to the spin of Faulkner.

Faulkner struck again, taking three more wickets to reduce Haslington to 123-8, including the prized wicket of Instead for 64.

But Haslington kept a calm head and with Daniel Goodier, mixing caution with the ability to hit the poor ball, allowing the home side to get over the line with two overs to spare.

In a game of narrow margins Ashton were left regretting a number of fielding errors which did not help their cause.

Ashton will look to get back on track when they welcome Upton to the Beets in round four of the competition.

Ashton’s 2nd team could not force a win despite a dominant batting performance against Cheadle Hulme. Ashton 302-6 (Akash Patel 89, Parveen Soans 51, Mike Roberts 50; Alex Reid 4-62) Cheadle Hulme 205-5 (Alex Reid 66, Masror Ahmed 57).

Ashton 3rd XI were well beaten in the T20 Cup against Trafford Metrovics. TMV 177-3 (Praveen Pattisapu 70) Ashton 119-8.