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Southport Trinity CC 1st XI v Alder CC 1st XI Toss: Southport Trinity CC won the toss and elected to bat.

SOUTHPORT Trinity welcomed Alder to The Rookery on Saturday in the 1st XI’s final home game of the 2021 season.

After back to back defeats against Norley Hall and Wavertree, STCC could no longer challenge for promotion to Division One.

Wim van der Walt returned from illness to captain the side and he started well, winning the toss on a good pitch. Trinity elected to bat first.

Vidal Crandon, in his last game before returning to Barbados, opened up with Bobby Eyes.

Alder’s young opening bowlers started well and soon had the ball swinging round corners.

It wasn’t to be for Crandon as he top-edged a back of a length ball straight up in the air. STCC 7-1.

Wim van der Walt joined Eyes in the middle, carefully negotiating the swinging new ball.

After working hard to see off the new ball, Eyes fell for 18 after a clever piece of bowling by Danny Johnson. Trinity 33-2 as Johnny Hine entered the crease.

The run rate soon climbed as both Hine, and van der Walt regularly found the boundary.

Johnny Hine reached his half century first and continued to score rapidly, hitting 13 x 4s and 4 x 6s in his blistering 89 from 62 balls, before being caught in the deep.

The departure of Hine ended a top quality 166-run partnership, taking Trinity up to 199-3.

Eddie James was the next man in, as Wim van der Walt closed in on his century.

Wim, who scored 99 earlier in the season against Parkfield Liscard, ensured that he wouldn’t miss out again. 99 not out in the 42nd over, he cashed in one a short wide delivery, taking him to a chanceless century.

After a couple of overs of fun, van der Walt declared the innings on 252-3 from 44 overs.

Wim van der Walt finished on 117 not out from 128 balls, hitting 14 x 4s and 1 x 6, whilst Eddie James contributed with 12 not out.

George Campbell made an early breakthrough, O’Rourke edging to Mark Prince at second slip.

Alder moved from 7-1 to 23-3 with Cragg and Campbell claiming a wicket a piece.

Crandon and Prince taking smart catches behind the stumps.

Alder’s batsman made use of a good Rookery wicket with Coogan, McHale and Kirkpatrick all scoring 20s, but it was captain, Josh Abley, who top scored for the visitors with 88.

Liam Simms claimed 3-65, George Campbell 3-35 and Craig Black 2-25 whilst Sean Cragg and Johnny Hine picked up a wicket each as Alder’s innings finally came to an end on 210 from 57.4 overs.

The final wicket was a smart catch stood up to the stumps by Vidal Crandon off a full George Campbell delivery. A great way to finish. Southport Trinity will end the season next week with a trip to already promoted

Caldy.