Ashton retires after scoring 205 Park runs

Graves Park CC 301-7, Moulton Harrox 80 - Park won by 221 runs.

Jack Ashton scored 205 runs as Graves Park CC began their season with a convincing win against Moulton Harrox.

On a day where the Kirton venue was very damp, it was only the artificial wicket that allowed play to continue.

The hosts won the toss and elected to bat with Mitch Griffiths (25) and James Luto (9) getting the innings off to a steady start, reaching 33 in the 11th over before Luto was out, caught at cover point from a mistimed drive.

This brought the explosive Ashton (205) to the crease.

He took the game by the scruff of the neck and demolished the Moulton attack, hitting 11 fours and 21 sixes on the way to the GPCC top score record, and his maiden double hundred.

Batting with him on the way, Griffiths succumbed for 25, Brinkley fell for two and after a partnership of 105 with Martin Hodgson (14), Ashton retired on 205.

Wickets fell towards the end of the innings, but some swiping from Joe Gilbert (four) and Ryan Lawson (three) got the score over the magical 300 mark after 40 overs.

In reply, the Park bowled some good lines and fielded well to make scoring tough.

Moulton batted through to the 34th over, losing their last wicket on 80.

Wickets were spread through the team but Hodgson was the pick claiming figures of 5-3-1-3.

Graves Park are away at Freiston L&L CC on Saturday.