Vic up to sixth after win over Hesketh

NEW VICTORIA first XI enjoyed an excellent success on Saturday at the expense of Hesketh Bank, which took them up to sixth place in the league table.

The visitors won the toss and put the home side into bat.

Hesketh Bank’s innings began slowly and had reached 28 before Kieron Rigby (12-4-34-2) removed both openers Craig Jordan and Richard Banister.

Barry Mills (16.3-5-275) carried on the good work as wickets tumbled to see the hosts in real trouble at 43-5.

It was Richard Burns (23) and Matthew Dawson (26) who managed to add 55 for the sixth wicket.

Matty Walsh (5-1-8-2) and Jonny Howard (7-2-25-1) reduced Hesketh Bank to 108 all out in 40.3 overs.

When New Vic came to bat, opener Dale Johnson (28) was in fine form and all the top order reached double figures before falling to catches.

However their partnerships were sufficient to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Wickets had fallen at 25, 55, 68, 72 and 78 and it took the introduction of Jonny Howard (32 not out, including an important 16 in one over) to see New Victoria home to victory for no further loses to finish on 110.

Play was the other way round at Rufford Road, where the seconds suffered defeat at the hands of Aigburth.

New Vic enjoyed a good start through Matt Partington (30) and Jamie Bray (27), but after that only Steve Saunderson (10) reached double figures and Steven Spencer (5-26) proved a difficult bowler.

Aigburth seconds had little difficulty in knocking off the required runs (82) although they did lose five wickets in the process in 26.3 overs.

This Saturday afternoon Birkenhead St Mary’s are the visitors to Rufford Road for the first time. The New Vic seconds are heading to Mossley Hill seconds. Both games set to commence at 1.30pm.

The first XI take on Cheshire Lines on Bank Holiday Monday at Whitefield CC in a league match.