Rankin guides side to safety

BEN Walkden hit 107*, his maiden Premier Division century following five fifties, to help Newton-leWillows post 243/5 against Ormskirk, backed up by 64 from Rizwan Haider; the visitors teetered, but Harvey Rankin’s unbeaten 64 led them to safety at 160/8.

Two of the usual suspects extended Wallasey’s lead at the top of the ECB Premier Division to an imposing 58 points with a comprehensive win over Southport & Birkdale.

Dan Beaver’s 100*, his third century of the season, set up a total of 232/3, with some help from Josh Rylance’s 66 in a stand of 130. Then it was over to the pro – Sumit Ruikar’s 7/54 was his ninth five-for in 10 league games and S&B fell 133 runs short.

None of Saturday’s games were washed out, but a few sides were affected by the rain – notably Northern, who didn’t have time to press their advantage at Orrell Red Triangle after Liam Grey’s 103* led them to 225/6. The hosts closed on 138/5.

Rainhill’s resurgence continued at bottom side Formby, who have yet to bowl a side out this season. Sam Kershaw’s 91 and Rob McKeown’s unbeaten 62 were enough for a five-wicket win.

New Brighton earned a fivewicket win over Leigh.

Two opening batters went toe-to-toe at Bull Hey in a fine advert for timed cricket.

In the end, it was probably fair that they cancelled each other out.

But Wigan couldn’t have complained had skipper Charles Taylor’s defiant 103* been in vain; nor could Birkenhead Park have griped had Michael Barnes’ emphatic 112 not been enough.

The final act of the drama saw Taylor – finally forced into defensive mode, with his side 35 behind and only number 11 for company – block out an over from Park’s overseas left-arm spinner Safi Abdullah, surviving a bloodcurdling LBW shout off the last ball.

It was fitting that he was still standing at the end. He’s now scored 302 runs since he was last dismissed in the league, a purple patch even by the standards of this golden summer for batters.