Ashorne & Moreton Morrell Cricket Club

Skipper Jack Jones (28) led by example with a mixture of improvisation and aggression against the accuracy of Schaus (0-31) who got the ball to nibble and swing. Jones was well supported by Duncan Whitehead (21) in an opening partnership of 68 to give his team a launch pad for a sizeable total. Bishop (2-48) temporarily halted Ashorne’s advance in first bowling Whitehead and then having Jones caught by Pratt. This brought the match winning partnership of Sharples and Mark Reading to the crease to advance the visitors’ total by a further 70 runs. Sharples’ virtue was that he was patient and punished the bad ball and was unlucky to be run out for 71.Mark Reading (19) rotated the strike intelligently and was good value for his 21.Harper’s (2-30) introduction to the attack claimed the wickets of Reading and Freeman (8). Hedges (8) fell to Hirst but some ferocious hitting by the re-invigorated Frank Jones (25n.o) and the no less brutal Hendy (15n.o) lifted Ashorne’s final total to 220 for 6.

 In the field the visitor’s energy and teamwork shone through and Shipston lost their way in the face of a team that scented victory. Bishop (0) fell first thanks to a brilliant piece of fielding by Frank Jones and Harper (4) was bowled by Hendy in a miserly and speedy 10 over spell that claimed 2 wickets for only 25 runs. Frank Jones (2-33) was equally difficult to get away and he was well rewarded with his 2 wickets. At 25 for 5 Shipston were on the ropes and it took a mighty effort from Hince (78no) and Hirst (26) to mount any sort of challenge. In the failing light Man-of-the Match Sharples (3-18) bowled with venom and good bounce to remove Bryan (18) care of a sharp catch in the slips by Moon and Hince in successive balls. Colin Reading (2-37) turned the screw at the other end as Shipston were eventually bowled out for 178.As events of the day showed you need consistency throughout the team and strength in depth to maintain pressure and Ashorne had bucket loads in all areas and well deserved their historic win.