ASHTON-on-Mersey moved to the top of the TACS Cheshire Cricket League Division One with a hard fought 15-run victory over Prestbury at the Beets.

Batting first Ashton did not let the loss of an early wicket stop them launching an assault on the Presbury opening bowling.

Alex O’Gara was at his hard-hitting best as he and James Lines posted a 100-run partnership at better than a run a ball.

With the score on 107 O’Gara departed for a superb 68 and Lines also fell for 32.

This heralded a total batting collapse from the normally solid Ashton middle order.

With a mixture of poor shot selection, tight bowling and excellent out-cricket from the visitors, the home side lost their final seven wickets for only 45 runs as they slumped to 152 all out.

Julian McGovern bowled unchanged to record 6-67.

In reply, Ashton’s bowlers began to put right the failures of their batsmen, as Sam Timbs and Josh Knowles reduced the visitors to 44-6.

Prestbury fought back with some gritty batting from Simon Edmunds but when Mike Roberts dismissed both Edmunds and McGovern the innings looked doomed at 83-8.

But some hitting by Aqeel Ahmed and Conor Hibell kept Prestbury in the hunt and Ashton had to call on the excellent Timbs to close out the win as Prestbury’s efforts fell 15 runs short. Timbs finished with figures of 6-50.

Whilst not playing at their best Ashton yet again demonstrated their ability to work together as a team to grind out winning performances.

Next week’s visit to Hale Barns will be crucial as Ashton try and build on their fine start to the season