Ashwell excel with bat and ball to defeat Great Shelford

Ashwell CC (122-5) beat Great Shelford (120 all out) by five wickets

A DISCIPLINED bowling and fielding performance and an outstanding opening wicket partnership with the bat gave Ashwell a surprise win over promotion chasing Great Shelford on Saturday.

Having opted to bat, Shelford found themselves 0-1 in the first over as Johnson was bowled by Gary Simmons (2-36). Simmons and Graham Scott bowled very well in tandem and even as Great Shelford put together a stand of 49 for the second wicket the runs came at less than three per over as the stranglehold applied by the bowlers was backed up by some excellent fielding.

Scott bowled his 12 overs for just 27 runs and took a wicket too, and once his spell was finished Alex Griffin stepped in with four wickets for 33 runs as Shelford tried to increase the scoring rate.

Mortlock remained unbeaten on 68 as partners came and went at the other end, but some dubious running between the wickets saw three of his teammates run out. However without his contribution, Shelford's total would have been considerably less than 120.

Martyn Deal and Tim Moynihan got the Ashwell reply off to a solid start, taking runs from the odd loose delivery and importantly keeping wickets in hand.

Shelford's Mark Milne was their most dangerous bowler but although he bowled his 12 overs for just 11 runs, he remained wicketless as Ashwell counted down the runs.

The backup bowling was not as effective and Moynihan took toll hitting seven fours and a six in his innings of 55 before being the first man to fall with the total on 89.

Needing 32 runs to win, Ashwell contrived to lose four further wickets as Martyn Deal's vigil ended with the score on 90 and he was followed back to the pavilion by Tom Wallace, Jonathan Merrell and Gary Simmons before Gavin Donald (11no) saw Ashwell home at 122-5.