Ashton ready for knock-outs (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Ashton ready for knock-outs

3:30pm Thursday 21st February 2013 in Sport

ASHTON-under-Hill will represent Worcestershire in the England and Wales Cricket Board Indoor Knockout Cup first round at Edgbaston on Sunday.

Their opponents will be the Warwickshire champions, either Moseley or Bedworth, and they head into the clash following an easy 47-run win over lacklustre Dumbleton.

The Evesham league match at Prince Henry’s sports centre saw Ashton amass 138-2 before restricting their rivals to 91-5.

After an early run out for Will Archer, Jack Murphy and Tom Archer put on 50 quick runs with Dumbleton’s Tom Green unusually struggling with 16 runs off his final over.

When Tom Archer retired, Rich Nichols showed his skills and bowler James Wilson went for 19 off his first over.

With Murphy and Nichols retiring, Jack Perks and Janith de-Alvis continued the good work before Tom Archer returned to help post a commanding score.

Dumbleton made a most promising start with Matt Nicholson and Matt Jennings reaching 42 when two run outs changed the game for the former and Andy Powell.

Craig Boulding impressed but then Tom Archer took a fine catch off Jamie Perks to dismiss Jennings as Dumbleton wobbled.

De-Alvis bowled three overs for only 12 runs and the resulting pressure saw another couple of run outs to leave Dumbleton well short.

Prince Henry’s jumped to the top of the table with a 78- run thrashing of Badsey after crashing 155-0 and restricting the villagers to 77-2.

Chris Ayliffe and Elliot Thompson took 20 off Sam Attwood’s first over and 54 scored after only four.

Both openers retired but Tom Pilling and Mike Brown continued the mayhem.

Badsey’s bowlers floundered as Dominic Fenney and Simon Price smashed 25 off the last two overs to post an impressive total.

Dave Stokes and Attwood could not cope with Brown's pace and Fenney’s spin had them in a daze.

With only 33 runs posted at the half-way stage, Badsey lost touch.

When Thompson conceded 15 runs off his first over, a chink of light appeared but Ayliffe found a sensible length to force Badsey into taking chances.

Stokes and Attwood retired with the score in the 60s but, with only three overs left, Badsey were batting for pride rather than points.