THE innings has closed for two stalwarts of Aston Cricket Club.
Peter Bebbington and John Mottershead have hung up their bats after more than 90 years combined service to the club.
Peter, 65, first played for the club in 1949 and was formerly first-team captain. He has batted in every position in the team from opener to number 11 and also bowled leg cutters.
And John, 67, joined Aston CC in 1966 after playing for various other teams in the area. A hard-hitting batsman, he also kept wicket.
The two, friends since their schooldays, played their last game in a friendly against Audlem to round off the season.
As well as playing for Aston, they have played with and against each other in both the Nantwich and Aston knockouts.
Pete, who lives at Wrenbury, also played football until he was 39, turning out for Nantwich, Wren-bury and NALGO, and John from Nantwich has been a keen table tennis player for many years.
The two friends' careers have also followed similar lines.
Peter was the old Nantwich Urban District Council treasurer and then became head of revenues with Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, and John worked in the accounts departments for the former Nantwich Rural District Council and later the borough council.
Peter, now clerk to Willaston Parish Council, said: 'We have had some great times playing for Aston, but we both decided it was time to call it a day, so it was nice to go out together.
'As well as playing, I love watching cricket. And I get around to as many of the Test matches as possible, so I will be able to watch a few more now.'
And John will be able to spend more time watching Crewe Alex or attending race meetings.
He said: 'Peter and I have had a good innings and enjoyed every minute of it, but no-one goes on forever.'
