Rain can't ruin Ashton's weekend

2:34pm Monday 23rd June 2008

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AFTER Saturday's league match was rained off, Ashton on Mersey's weekend focus turned to Sunday's Cheshire Shield match at Chester.

Youngsters Greg Gyves and Alex O'Gara were both handed their full senior first team debuts as Ashton chased a place in round three of the competition.

On a day of strong winds and the threat of rain, skipper Mark Timms had no hesitation in batting first and making use of the facilities, but was soon regretting this as some lazy batting early on left Ashton in some trouble at 22-4.

The studious Anthony Roscow plugged away for a hard-earned 14 but his attempts to try to get a partner to hang around with him were to no avail as he eventually went to the wily Roberts.

At 50-7, fortunes took a dramatic turn for Ashton with Chris Roscow striding to the crease. He managed to make the earlier batsmen's troubles less significant as he easily stroked his way to a nonchalant 44 from just 22 balls.

Roscow was ably supported by Paul Bradbury, who finished the innings on 13 not out, as Ashton set a total of 125, the experienced Alan Roberts and Andy Barlow helping themselves to three wickets each.

In reply, Chester found themselves in similar early trouble. Andrew Roscow striding through Chester's top order with three wickets in his first five overs.

Chris Roscow also managed to grab the plucky Hickey, finally managing to clean him up where previous deliveries had missed by whiskers.

It was only when Anthony Roscow bowled brother Paul Hickey, that Chester really started to rebuild and make an attempt to win the game.

Keeper Wright and Steve Johnson came to the crease and made a conscious attempt to put away the bad ball.

They took the score up to 68 before some pressure bowling from Kev Boyle saw Wright caught out to a smart low catch by Aidan Miners.

Steve Johnson continued his efforts though, making room to be able to swing his arms through before Boyle struck again to take a caught and bowled to remove him at 95-7.

With just 25 runs needed from 15 overs it was a question as to whether wickets or runs would decide the contest.

The introduction of Martin Mosley, returning after seven weeks out with a broken ankle, was crucial. He bowled with guile and brains to strangle the Chester run chase, making the first breakthrough out of the three needed, bowling Andy Barlow.

Anthony Roscow supported him well from the other end grabbing the wicket of Alan Roberts.

With Chester needing just five runs to win, Mosley struck to remove the leg stump of Clark leaving Ashton the victors in a tightly fought game, and safely through to round three.