Maghull beaten by seven

A stunning century by Sam Holliday took Liverpool to a sevenwicket victory at Caldy on Saturday and Matt Jackson’s side now have a 33-point lead over Spring View at the top of the Second Division.

Earlier in the afternoon, though, the title favourites had been forced to work hard for their breakthroughs as the home side batted 69.5 overs to make 180-9 declared, Jared Clein taking 4-49.

Holliday made light of the challenge, however, hitting 12 fours and four sixes in a 79-ball 110 which seemed even more significant in the light of the abandonment of Spring View’s game against Parkfield Liscard.

But a fine all-round display by Wavertree’s Jadeja Edwards kept Josh Birch’s men in with a chance of promotion after their seven-wicket defeat of Maghull in a rain-affected match at Sandown Lane.

Greg Gillespie made 51 not out in Maghull’s 167-8 declared in 32 overs but Edwards followed his 3-22 by making 77 and sharing a 123-run second-wicket stand with Birch, who was unbeaten on 58 when the win was sealed in just 28.1 overs.

Hayden McCrae passed a thousand league runs for the season on Saturday but his fifth century of the summer could not prevent Southport Trinity losing to Alder by four wickets. McCrae made 102 not out in his team’s 178-8 declared but Kamran Hussain’s 49 helped his team pass that total in 48 overs.

Craig Woods made 63 to guide St Helens Town to a narrow third-wicket victory over Old Xavarians who had been limited to only 133 all out thanks to Liam Gaskell’s 4-53. Daniel Harrison took four quick wickets for the visitors but St Helens edged the win.

Northop Hall’s game against Prescot & Odyssey was drawn, Alex Smith making 81 in the Smithy Lane side’s 190-5 declared and James Hurlin then taking 5-54 as P&O replied with a determined 147-8 in 50 overs, Shaun Haigh leading the resistance with 45.