Agony for Ainsdale after closing five runs short of victory

SOUTHPORT & Birkdale skipper Chris Firth hailed centurion Bradley Yates, after his quickfire century set the pace in a blistering win over Wavertree. Yates’ unbeaten 134, from 122 balls, underpinned a total of 269/5 in just 43 overs.

The hosts came out swinging, with skipper Josh Birch clubbing 61, but fell under the spell of stalwart spinner Gary Keedy, who took 5/26 to wrap up a 102-run win.

“The wicket was very flat, and the outfield quick with short boundaries, and Bradley took advantage,” said Firth. “He played really well.

“He and Isaac Lea put on 100 for the first wicket and we just kicked on from there.”

Wavertree’s openers gave Firth a scare, setting off at more than 10 an over – circumstances where it can’t hurt to be able to throw the ball to a man with nearly 700 first-class wickets to his name.

Firth said: “Gary just offers the control you want, as a captain, and meant we could rotate bowlers from the other end.”

Sefton Park’s Greg Harvey hit an unbeaten 67 to anchor their chase of 232 against Prestatyn.

The Welsh visitors had looked well set thanks to Peter Cassidy’s 58, but Park reached their target with five wickets to spare.

Orrell Red Triangle stay top after declaring on 186/5, with Richard Everett unbeaten on 91 – some ruthless captaincy, that – before dismissing Buscough for 147, with Jon Stone’s 81 the only resistance.

Newton-le-Willows chased down 188 to beat Liverpool by four wickets, with three overs to spare.

Rameez Alam was the star of the chase with 96.

Ainsdale ran agonisingly out of time against Wigan, for whom Charles Taylor’s 103 and Jake Leyland’s 85* had set a target of 224.

After Mark Lucas hit 72, the visitors were just five runs from victory at the close.

Ahmad Safi Abdullah’s unbeaten 81 saw Birkenhead Park to an eight-wicket win over Fleetwood Hesketh, who were bowled out for 167.