Cricket: Williams majestic batting helps give Middleton victory at Ashton

Sunday saw Middleton take the short trip to Ashton-under-Lyne for a final, winning, visit to Rayner Lane before both teams transfer to different leagues next year.

Middleton made a solid start with Chris Williams providing a solid and classy start with a majestic 45, including seven fours.

Mellor was rubbing his hands with delight as he saw the talented Middleton middle order dismissed for nine runs, with Jones, Walker, and Tierney junior all back in the pavilion. At 94-4 and then 105-5, Ashton sensed a major upset on the cards.

Harry Gee had battled well for a solid score of 34 before falling victim to Said, who together with Edirisingha were bowling well.

This brought to the wicket Rhys Tierney and Zain Tahir with a rebuilding job to do.

Tahir is accustomed to this role having performed it on several occasions this season already, meanwhile Tierney was looking to continue his good form from the previous day.

With good defensive work, both batters took no risks and gradually got their eyes in.

Ashton pro Edirisingha was getting some turn and making life difficult, however both batsmen began to get the occasional one or two runs. This soon turned into boundaries with Tahir getting two fours. Tierney hit four fours and gradually a partnership of 70 runs had been built and completely turned around the complexion of the match.

When Tierney was out on 48 the damage had been done to Ashton, despite his partner Tahir following soon after.

Middleton finished on 198 for nine off their allotted 50 overs.

Middleton's opening bowlers, Williams and Pritchard, were too tight and tidy to allow Ashton a free scoring start.

Pritchard was to follow up his seven wicket Saturday with three more wickets giving him 10 for the weekend. All three were caught behinds with Pete Foden taking two and Grant Jones the other.

Captain Walker brought himself on and claimed a couple clean bowled and utilising his spinners, with Tahir and Jones getting to turn their arms. Both bowled well with Tahir getting Matthew Hewitt, the Ashton leading bat, for 40 runs.

Hewitt was the only one who really threatened the Middleton bowling.

Tahir ended with two wickets whilst Grant Jones mopped up the Ashton tail with three very good wickets.

This left Ashton all out for 107 off 34 overs.