Ashorne & Moreton Morrell Cricket Club

Ashorne completed a rare and deserved double against Shipston II in this penultimate league game of the season. The home side have learned a lot of lessons in their first season in Division II and their players delivered when it mattered. The Whitehead brothers and the father and son combination of Colin and Mark Reading made vital contributions in victory.

Colin Reading’s (3 for33) immaculate accuracy earned him a 3-wicket haul as Shipston struggled to get to grips with the slow wicket. Opening bowler Sharples (1for37) deserved more than his one wicket as the visitors gradually gained momentum thanks to Wickson’s 64.The bowlers were backed up by excellent fielding and superb catches by Mark Reading to dismiss Hall (4) and newcomer Lumsden to remove Harper (6) representing a huge improvement from early season form. Ashorne’s young bowlers were not to be outdone with Phil Whitehead claiming 3 for 21 and the talented Tom Lewis a couple with Shipston reaching 149 all out.

Despite the early loss of Hedges (0) to the speedy Brown, Duncan Whitehead exploded into form and dispatched anything short to the boundary with great aplomb. His innings of 58 included 5 fours and a six was his most assured of the season and together with Sharples 29 (made up of 6 boundaries) eased Ashorne to 90 for 2 and seemingly a straightforward victory. Shipston’s Hall had other ideas and his 4 wickets reduced Ashorne to115 for 5 and a potentially nerve jangling chase to the modest 35 runs.

Upstepped Mark Reading to play his most influential innings of the season with a superb 27 runs representing massive strides in his cricketing development before Bishop trapped him lbw. There was still work to be done and Moon (11n.o) nursed and coaxed the home side to victory with 4 overs to spare much to Shipston’s frustration with Tom Lester also unbeaten on 2.

The victory was a fitting reward for loyal supporter Tom Ashworth who now emigrates to Cyprus with the thanks of all Ashorne’s players, supporters and Committee.

Ashorne won by 3 wickets