Maghull pass up chance to put pressure on after defeat to Alder

had raised hopes that the visitors might overhaul Spring View’s 187 all out but Marc Birch’s 4-39 more or less ended their chances. Jared Clein and Chris Tonge had earlier taken three wickets apiece to limit the home side’s ambitions.

The draw at Dower House Farm gave other sides the chance to take closer order but Maghull missed their opportunity when they lost at home to Alder by four wickets. Paul McKenna and Greg Gillespie both made 41 in Maghull’s 210 all out but Kamran Hussain’s 76 not out in 68 balls led Alder’s successful pursuit of that total.

Wavertree, however, are only 21 points shy of the promotion spots after their four-wicket victory against Old Xaverians. Bharat Grover’s 5-28 did most of the hard work needed to dismiss OXs for 143 and Josh Birch then made 90 to see his side home.

St Helens Town also kept themselves well in contention with a 57-run defeat of Caldy.

Phil Murgatroyd’s side took the long road home, batting 68.3 overs for their 173 before James Davies and Liam Gaskell claimed three wickets apiece in Caldy’s 116 all out. The result was tough on Caldy’s Piushan Game- kankanamge who took 6-28.

Parkfield Liscard won the basement battle against Prescot & Odyssey, who now seem likely to be relegated from the Liverpool Gin Liverpool Competition after only one season.

Muhammad Ghafoor’s 116, including seven sixes, was the highlight of his side’s 254-6 declared off 52 overs and Sadrey Depieza then took 7-34 as P&O mustered only 46 in reply, No3 batsman Ken Highdale making 36 not out off 29 balls.

The game between Northop Hall and Southport Trinity ended in a tie. Mark Warren made 74 not out and Hayden McCrae 54 in the visitors’ 199 all out but fifties for James Hurlin and Ed Markey set up a thrilling climax in which Trinity’s Scott Francis (5-67) played a full part.