SHEHAN Fernando scored an unbeaten 81 to secure a losing draw for Hale Barns 1st XI in a high-scoring Cheshire Cricket League Division One affair at Ashton on Mersey.

Joe Cooper took four wickets as the hosts piled on the runs, with Australian batsman Ben Davies scoring a brilliant century but Barns batted out their rain-affected allotted overs to prevent an Ashton victory.

On a flat track, the home team batted first and raced onto 36 for the first wicket before Peter Stubbs (1-28) removed Alex O’Gara for 11.

Fellow opener Davies looked in imperious form from the off and dominated the bowlers, receiving able support from a more tentative Lee Brooks.

The duo added 94 to the score until Brooks was dismissed by Cooper for 34, but there was no respite for the visitors as the Ashton batsmen continued to play in an aggressive manner.

Akash Patel produced a quickfire cameo of 22 before becoming Cooper’s second victim and he soon claimed a third just two balls later when Connor Kelly went for a duck.

But Davies carried on in emphatic fashion and eased to three figures, eventually making a stunning 121 from 104 which included 12 fours and 7 sixes before Cooper (4-33) took his fourth wicket.

Mark Timms then added 21 not out as Ashton called for the declaration with three overs still remaining having motored onto 232-5.

In reply, Hale’s top order woes continued when Chris Colley was bowled by Jamie Wilsmhurst (1-31) without troubling the scorers.

And defeat looked a strong possibility after Andrew Roscow (2-19) sent Cooper (11) and Stubbs (0) back to the pavilion to restrict Barns to 16-3.

But Ben Staniforth and Fernando managed to survive the early onslaught and stood firm until the teams were brought off for a short spell due to rain showers during the drinks break, meaning the overs were reduced to 40.

After the restart, Staniforth was triggered lbw for a patient 27 with the score at 95-4, but Fernando played a captain’s innings to calmly steer the team away from danger.

Nick Lathbury joined him at the crease and looked in good nick as the duo targeted 180 to gain full batting bonus points.

And they managed to do so, finishing 181-4 with Fernando ending up 81 not out and Lathbury unbeaten on 40 to help save the game for the away side.

The result maintains Hale’s position in fifth, while third-placed Ashton lost vital ground on promotion favourites Bredbury St Marks and Barnton.