League leaders left frustrated by bad weather

RUNAWAY First Division leaders Southport & Birkdale and Orrell Red Triangle were both left frustrated last weekend.

S&B, who possess a 28-point lead at the top and a mammoth 72-point hold on the automatic places, drew with mid-table Birkenhead after only managing 35 overs of their run chase.

Birkenhead were dismissed for 184 after electing to bat first with Ahmad Safi Abdullah making an impressive 66 from 65 balls.

In reply, Southport looked comfortable for the most part as they reached 155-5 before their innings was curtailed by rain.

The visitors gained 12 bonus points, however, to extend their lead over third-placed Ainsdale to 44 points with a game in hand.

Orrell Red Triangle were similarly left ruing the weather.

They posted a sizeable 231-5 against Wigan after Sam Heeley and Mohammed Bhada both posted halfcenturies in a partnership of 93.

With the home side then reeling on 128-8 at Bull Hey, poor weather ensured Charles Taylor’s side were let-off with a draw after opening bowler Siddiq Patel had recorded figures of 5-60.

At the other end of the table, bottom club Burscough made it five without victory as they drew against lowly Newton-le-Willows, while Prestatyn missed a chance to put pressure on Fleetwood Hesketh after rain also interrupted their clash with Liverpool.

Prestatyn were bowled out for 157 but had reduced the home side to 86-5 by the time poor weather stopped play.

Fleetwood Hesketh will still be looking over their shoulder, however, after a seventh defeat in eight against Ainsdale left them just 18 points clear of Prestatyn.

Paul Mullen captained the side for the first time after Scott Rimmer stepped down due to work commitments, but couldn’t stop a heavy seven wicket defeat against the in-form promotion chasers.