MV claim derby triumph

3:55pm Tuesday 1st July 2008

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Trafford MV 76 all out Ashton on Mersey 72 all out

Trafford MV win by four runsAFTER the exhilaration of narrowly failing to put an end to Brooklands’ 100 per cent record the previous weekend, Trafford MV faced even more local rivals Ashton on Mersey at Macpherson Park on Saturday.

In a thrilling and controversial climax, MV won a low-scoring game by four runs as the umpires adjudged Ashton’s last man to have been bowled by Mo Asad, despite there being some degree of doubt.

MV were invited to bat by Ashton captain Mark Timms earlier in the day and, although the wicket looked tricky, the home side made steady progress to 50-1 as Steve Warner (14), Andy Kershaw (16) and Mo Asad (22) laid the foundations for a competitive total.

But Andy Roscow (7-25) and Matt McGibbon (3-9) proceeded to wreak havoc amongst the MV middle and late order as eight wickets fell for just 14 runs in a stunning period of play, with only a last wicket partnership of 12 enabling MV to reach 76.

That last wicket partnership was to prove crucial as Ashton panicked chasing such a small total. Darren Park (2-27) was his usual accurate self, and Sully Chauhan (3-24) added some victims to his hostility.

It was Mo Asad, however, who was to prove the difference between the sides as - not for the first time this season - he produced a match-winning bowling performance, taking 4-21, including that final controversial wicket with a viciously spinning leg break which, temporarily at least, bamboozled the umpires as well as the batsman.

MV’s recent run of form – three wins and a draw in the last four games - has seen them pull clear of the relegation positions with exactly half the season gone.

Oakmere, who have steadily climbed the Meller Braggins Cheshire League table to second behind Brooklands, visit Macpherson Park on Saturday in a further test of MV’s improvement.