Great Scott has his day as Burscough blasted by Sefton Park

IT WAS honours even as the top two met in Division One – with Southport & Birkdale maintaining their six-point edge over Orrell Red Triangle.

After the Wigan side chose to bat, an opening burst from Andrew Warhust left them struggling at 38-3. But Christopher Riley dug in for a fine 62 and, with help from the lower order, the hosts made it to 195.

In reply, S&B were hamstrung by early wickets for Siddiq Patel, who finished with 5-51. A 53-run partnership between Harry May and Charlie Byrne helped them to safety, closing on 132-7.

Ainsdale lost a high-scoring encounter with Prestatyn. Stephen and Mark Lucas hit 79 and 51 respectively as the hosts racked up a respectable 217/7. But the Welshmen, thanks largely to an opening stand of 115 between skipper Gareth Boughey (50) and Ryan Westwell (51), knocked off the runs with three wickets in hand.

Wigan are third after a 47-run win over Liverpool. Aaron Redmond’s 65 was the highlight of their 190-9. Peter Kelly wheeled away for 26 overs to take 4-74. The visitors came close to closing out for a draw, but Siddish Dixit’s 5-37 proved decisive.

Scott Aitchison’s 69 off 62 balls powered Sefton Park to a seven-wicket win over Burscough, who were dismissed for 131 as Daniel Kelly and Rob Houghton took four wickets apiece.

Fleetwood Hesketh’s 12-run win over Newtonle-Willows was a real team effort – eight batsmen scored between 13 and 32 in their 202 all out. Thomas Gunshorn’s unbeaten 73 was a lone hand for the visitors, as they fell just short.

Half-tons from Ken Highdale and Romario Griffith set up Wavertree’s 223-7 at Birkenhead Park. After a clatter of early wickets, the hosts held on for the draw thanks to an unbeaten partnership of 136 between skipper Jonathan Crofton (61 not out) and Harry Meehan (80 not out).