ASHTON on Mersey consolidated their lead at the top of Cheshire Cricket League Division One with a crucial six-wicket win at second-placed Romiley.

Ashton’s decision to bowl in a rain-affected reduced overs game was soon justified as the opening attack of Andy Roscow (3-26) and Josh Knowles had the home side in all sorts of trouble, leaving them rocking at 27-3.

Romiley’s Australian all-rounder Andrew Humphries put up some resistance in the middle order.

But once he was outwitted by Dan Higgins, the Romiley innings spluttered to a close on 137-8 as spinner Mike Roberts (3-26) prevented any late rally.

The modest target looked a challenge when Ashton lost two early wickets but some excellent aggressive batting by Alex O’Gara re-established their control over the game.

When O’Gara went, Fred Kamstra stepped up to take the Ashton total over 100.

It would have been fitting for Kamstra to have seen Ashton home but that honour fell to Will Pidgeon and skipper Lee Brooks, who hit the winning runs with three overs to spare as they closed on 138-4.

This was a huge win for Ashton, moving them clear at the top of the table and putting them in great spirits ahead of the next game against Bredbury at The Beets.

The second XI made it a winning Saturday for Ashton as they beat Oulton Park.

Ashton scored 162-6 before bowling out Oulton Park for 144 (Dave Corps 5-19).