ASHTON overcame local rivals and Cotswold Hills League champions Overbury in a close first round match in the National Village Knockout on Sunday.

Batting first, Overbury lost early wickets with Turner claiming the scalps of Stout and Matty and Pearce run out, leaving Overbury 21-3 after nine overs.

Gregory and Diamond steadied the ship, reaching 74 before Gregory fell to Ashton captain Shepherd, who quickly claimed the wicket of Munro.

This bought Gillett to the wicket and he soon set about the Ashton bowling, blasting 53 in 10 overs, sharing a stand of 73 with Diamond, before falling to Archer.

Diamond remained at the crease with 47 not out at the close of innings, Overbury scoring 166-7.

Steady

Ashton's opening pair of Cooper and Haines started them of in steady fashion, sharing a stand of 60 before Gillett removed Cooper (27), followed by Haines (16) and Paresh Patel (3).

Turner hit a six but then fell to Stout for 11, who quickly claimed Jay Patel for six, leaving Ashton 96-5 from 27 overs.

It was left to cousins Dave Wood and Will Archer to steady the nerves, with Wood striking six boundaries.

With clouds gathering, Ashton required 17 from the last five overs.

Sensible running, and fielding errors took them to within touch before Wood fell to Gregory but the mission was achieved and it was left to captain Shepherd to score the winning run and take Ashton into the second round for the first time in their history.