Bootle’s double delight

FIRWOOD Bootle’s opening bowlers, Chris Stenhouse and Chris Liptrot, were at their belligerent best last weekend, propelling their side to two emphatic victories in league and cup encounters on successive afternoons. Conditions were damp on both days, and Craig Prince made the correct decision to invite Wallasey to bat first in Saturday’s home Premier League match.

It was a decision which paid rich dividends as the two demon seamers shot out half the opposing batting line-up for just 23 runs. Alex Eagles (24) and Greg Beaver (10) – the only Wallasey batsmen to reach double figures – did their best to instigate a revival with a 6th wicket stand of 28, but Liptrot (4-32) and Stenhouse (5-35) would not be denied and the visitors were skittled for 69 inside 31 overs.

An opening stand of 40 between David Snellgrove and Scott Butterworth ensured that Bootle would endure few alarms and even though three wickets were lost along the way, the home side won comfortably off the first ball of the sixteenth over and are now breathing down the necks of the league leaders Ormskirk, a mere eight points separating the top two.

Farnworth Social Circle arrived at Wadham Road the following day sporting impressive credentials as unbeaten leaders of the Bolton League and they had no hesitation in batting first.

Little did they realize what was awaiting them as Liptrot and Stenhouse knocked over their top six batsmen, including Australian professional Jake Scicluna, for 14 in the first nine overs.

Chris Barrow decided that all out attack was the only realistic response as he struck four 4s and two 6s in an aggressive knock of 34 before skying a drive which was safely pouched by Danny Davies, and the visitors were all out for 54 with 26.4 of their 45 over allocation going unused.

Jackson Knight enjoyed himself in the role of opening bat, making a breezy 31 not out as the hosts won by 8 wickets in the 11th over of their reply.