Maghull remain in the promotion mix
MAGHULL’S hopes of returning to the First Division after just one season in the third tier of the Liverpool Competition were boosted on Saturday by their 138-run victory at Prescot & Odyssey.
Greg Gillespie and Jon Ring both made 60s as Paul Walters’s team scurried to 227-6 declared in 50.3 overs and it was left to Will Mashinge (5-19) and Tony Molloy (3-12) to take care of business after tea. P&O were bowled out for 89 but Maghull still trail leaders Liverpool by 40 points and second-placed Spring View by 12 after the top two also won.
Spring View’s victory came at the expense of Old Xaverians, who laboured for 51.5 overs to make 97 all out, skipper Ian Carroll making 39 and Jonny Broad taking 4-36.
The visitors took 26.2 overs to confirm their win and lost five wickets in the process but Amar Ullah’s 34 not out proved decisive.
Title favourites Liverpool had a rather easier time of it at home to Parkfield Liscard, who were dismissed for 110 in 42.1 overs, Mohammed Sharafat making 73 and Jackson Burns taking 5-27.
Henry Charlton then made 58 not out and Tushar Mahambrey hit an unbeaten 43, the pair adding 103 for the second wicket to see their side home on a day when some pitches may have been affected by last week’s rain and 11 Competition teams asked their opponents to bat.
Southport Trinity’s Geoff Thornton, on the other hand, placed his faith in the batting talent of Australian opener Hayden McCrae, who obliged with his fourth ton of the season.
McCrae’s 104 and Mark Warren’s 61 enabled Trinity to post 203-8 declared in 54.4 overs against Wavertree.
The visitors replied with 175 all out, Jake Sunderland returning figures of 5-36.
Elsewhere, Northop Hall defeated St Helens Town by 14 runs while Alder saw off Caldy by five wickets at Paton Field.