Where Eagles dares as Ormskirk flying
SATURDAY’S rain caused more than a few teams in the Liverpool Gin Liverpool Competition to try and concoct finishes in shortened games but the weather could do nothing to prevent the Premier League pacesetters recording vital victories.
Leaders New Brighton were particularly fortunate as their game at Lytham on the Fylde coast was allowed to proceed without interruption but Mark Rowland’s men had to be at their best to secure a 21-run victory.
David While’s unbeaten 80 and Mark Hale’s rapid 46 allowed the Rake Lane side to post a formidable 235-6 declared in 55 overs but Lytham openers Tom Hessey and Taylor Cornall hit back with a first-wicket stand of 114.
However, the home side’s hopes of victory were crushed by the familiar figure of Ashraf Nawab, who took 8-91 as Lytham were bowled out for 214 in 46.2 overs.
Second-placed Ormskirk were rather more ruthless in their demolition of Wallasey at Rosclare Drive. Alex Eagles’ 64 was the most substantial contribution to the home side’s 163-9 declared in 50.5 overs but Matt Glayzer’s men knocked off those runs in a mere 28.3 overs, Michael Jones making 67 off 76 balls.
Ross Zelem’s scintillating century took Leigh to a five-wicket victory over Ainsdale at Liverpool Road but the champions were made to work for their victory before tea when Mark Lucas’s 50 helped the home side make 205-5 declared.
But Andy Barlow’s bowlers were helpless in the face of Zelem’s assault, the opener making 112 not out in 75 balls with 13 fours and four sixes.
Firwood Bootle’s title ambitions have been made quite clear by club captain Craig Prince but the Wadham Road players were unable to force a home win against Colwyn Bay on Saturday.
However, home spectators were encouraged by Vishal Tripathi’s 77-ball 70 in their side’s 190-6 declared, although Ryan Holtby kept a lid on the total with 5-79. Prince’s declaration was challenging and Colwyn Bay got no further than 136-6 in reply, Prince himself taking 3-35.
The closest finish in the Competition’s top division was fought out at Trafalgar Road but neither Southport and Birkdale nor Formby could record their first victory in a low-scoring rain-delayed draw.
James Seward made exactly 50 before Ian Cockbain made a predictably attacking declaration on 131-7 after 36.5 overs. S&B were given 41 overs in which to score the runs but the fact that 18 of them were delivered by the former Lancashire slow left-armer, Gary Keedy, made their task a whole lot more difficult.
Both Harry May and Ashley McDonald made 28 but their efforts left their side six runs short of victory at stumps although May’s unbeaten innings encouraged the home spectators in what is proving a tough season.
Northern’s match against Rainhill was ruined by the weather. The Moor Park side had reached 87-4 when the weather closed in.