Skem keep their cool and the lead with a narrow victory
ONLY three matches could be completed in the Second Division of the MI Dental Liverpool Competition on Saturday but one of them was the low-scoring top-of-thetable thriller at Old Xaverians where Skelmersdale’s second one-wicket victory in eight days left them with a 25-point lead over their hosts.
Needing 132 to win, Skem were always well in the hunt thanks to Ryan Maloney’s 56 but Mark Doyle’s 5-26 and Josh Dilworth’s 4-49 had left them on 120-9 when the imperturbable Jack Maddocks was joined by his skipper, Sam Callow, and this pair added the vital 12 runs needed to see their side home.
Earlier Dilworth had demonstrated his all-round skills yet again by making 34 in his side’s 131 all out in 53.4 overs but Danny Edwards’s 6-33 made the inroads necessary to set up what may be one of his side’s most important results of the season.
Parkfield Liscard are now fifth in the table following their comfortable 82-run victory at Caldy. Sadrey Depieza was far and away the man of the match, making 66 in his side’s 173-8 declared in 55 overs and then taking 7-23 as the home side were swept away for just 91 in 27.2 overs.
Alder’s Scott Aitchison also enjoyed a fine match on Saturday but the game against Wavertree ended in a draw. Aitchison took 5-76 to counter Josh Birch’s 68 in the home side’s 201-9 declared and then made 57 not out as Alder compiled 169-7 off 45 overs in reply.