MIDDLEWICH will be defending the Quinn Thomas Cheshire Shield in two week's time after winning their semi-final tie against Ashton-on-Mersey on Sunday.

A late start, due to a waterlogged ground, meant a total of 20 overs were lost in the game - with the umpires deciding on a reduction to 35 overs per side. Middlewich won the toss and put Ashton into bat.

And although Middlewich were unable to reach the exceptional standards set on the previous day's nine-wicket league win over Mere, they still reduced Ashton to 55-6 just past the halfway stage of the innings.

However, Chris Roscow batting at number nine produced the highest score and by far the best batting for the visitors in his innings of 26.

That boosted Ashton's total to a decent 124-9 from their 35 overs.

In reply, Middlewich set off in a confident mood and openers David Bates and David Parry took the score on to 43 without loss from the first eight overs. But the dismissal of Bates and Andy Cole soon after rocked Middlewich back on their heels and then Stephen Parry and Adam Kelly also went for low scores.

When David Parry went for 44, Middlewich had scored 87 and had work to do to earn the right to defend the shield in the final.

However, skipper Gavin Tomlinson and Chris Ainley made a strong pairing that took the team to the verge of victory - only for Ainley to be dismissed with a handful of runs needed.

But in the end, Middlewich managed to reach 125-6 in the final over and take a four-wicket win.

The venue for the final will be decided by the management committee within the next few days but is scheduled for Sunday, August 24.