S&B lose epic

THE “if onlys” are beginning to mount up and they are not bringing Chris Firth a speck of comfort. All Southport & Birkdale’s skipper knew as he squatted on his haunches in the long moment of defeat at Rake Lane on Saturday evening was the disappointment of defeat in a game his side had come within an inch of winning. Firth was not on his own. His team had been with him all the way on Saturday and they shared his misery that they had only just been unable to defend 150 on a wicket which offered slow bowlers plenty of help.

Chris Brownlow, who had followed his 54 with three late wickets, was also sunk in the moment of loss after Louis C Botes, the son of the veteran New Brighton all-rounder, had worked him through the gully for the match-winning single.

In the previous over, last man Jaxom Rose had pulled a ball from the excellent Chris Cunningham to the midwicket boundary, just eluding Angus Gailey in the process, and then nicked another delivery to the rope at third man. Adam Phillips, who had chased the ball from slip, crashed into the fence in a vain attempt to prevent the crucial four being scored.

Whatever S&B have lacked this sea- son – the capacity to bat long at times, the awareness of the importance of partnerships at others – they have not lacked for effort or team spirit. That had been shown before tea as Andy Warhurst and Cunningham had taken important wickets. It was revealed again when Firth removed David While, Nick Knight diving forward from short-leg to take the first of his three catches.

Moderately placed on 54-3 when the players came off a few moments later, the home side lost both Andy Clarke and Khurram Hussain in bringing up three figures.

Then it rained heavily for perhaps 45 minutes and when the game resumed New Brighton needed 46 off 15 overs.

Brownlow dismissed three batsmen, John While falling to an excellent reflex catch by Knight at short mid-off and