Maghull lose the Cam focus

MAGHULL’S stuttering run chase was interrupted by the weather in the Liverpool Competition Second Division on Saturday.

Maghull had seemed in a good position after Cam Lawrenson’s 6-34 had helped dismiss visitors Liverpool for 148, Tushar Mahambrey making 44.

But the home side’s reply was poorly placed on 38-3 when the rain arrived.

Spring View were the big winners when the late afternoon’s torrential rain ruined some games.

At Dower House Farm, Spring View’s Jonny Broad was able to take 4-53 as Southport Trinity were bowled out for 170, a total overhauled thanks to Declan Mulvey’s 50 and Marc Birch’s unbeaten 42.

That allowed the Wigan-based team to move into second place and close the gap at the top to 28 points.

In the First Division, Highfield are the strongest of favourites to return to the ECB Premier League after they managed an 18-run victory over Fleetwood Hesketh on a day when their rivals faltered.

This gives them a 21-point lead over Rainford, but more significantly, the gap between Highfield and third-placed Orrell Red Triangle is a whopping 78 points after Andy Mottram’s team had to settle for a draw at Skelmersdale.

Matt Morgan made 64 but Jack Maddocks responded by taking 5-65 in ORT’s 228-8 declared and Skem were left hanging on at 135-9 when the game ended, Morgan and Afaq Sartaj doing the main damage with three wickets each.

Heavy rain brought an early end to play in Newton-le-Willows’ game at Burscough when the visitors were 105-3 in reply to the the home side’s 262-7 declared.

That total had been achieved thanks to Jon Stone’s 72, Chris Andrews’ 54 and Navdeep Aujla’s 53, but Newton are now one of a clutch of teams needing a run of wins if they are to have a hope of overhauling the leaders.

Wigan’s Aaron Redmond enjoyed a fine day at Hightown St Mary’s where he made 89 out of his side’s 172 all out and then took 5-16 as the home side replied with 80 all out.