Wait finally ends for Ash Tree

IT MAY have taken almost four decades but Ash Tree Cricket Club have finally won their first away match in a generation.

The Cheshire club had not emerged triumphant from an away match on a pre-season foreign tour in an incredible 34 years, but that streak has been ended after a tworun win over Balkan side, Sir William Hoste Cricket Club – based on the Croatian island of Vis.

And while they lost the rematch the following day by 81 runs, chairman Mark Crook admits it was a result to savour.

The 72-year-old said: “Over the years on home turf we have won and lost in equal measure, but abroad it was a very different story.

“It became a bit of an inside joke. I think the main reason for not winning was a lack of skill, but we’ve also been a bit unlucky.

“We came very close a few times, and only lost by one run last year in France.

In Vis we didn’t expect to win with our track record, so it was amazing when it happened.We couldn’t believe it.”