New Brighton suffer surprise defeat as title slips away

Sep 9 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

THIRD-placed New Brighton suffered a surprise two-wicket defeat at Northop Hall.

Opener Paul Hale hit 73 but received little support as Tim Watkins’ side slipped from 114-1 to 177 all out off 60.1 overs. Danny Nolan ripped through them with 7- 38.

New Brighton rallied in the field as Mark Hale (3-64) and Martyn Evans (5-62) kept them in contention. However, Matthew Cree’s 64 ultimately proved crucial as Hall got home in the 45th over.

Fleetwood Hesketh were thrashed by 146 runs at Wallasey.

Wallasey were 45-3 but Joel Huston (30) and Alex Eagles (42) helped them to 223-9 off 68 overs. Aaron Halsall claimed 4-37 and Andrew Davies 3-77.

Hesketh were then dismissed for just 87 with Chris Bourne bagging 5-20. Derek Sykes (25) was the only batsman to provide any real resistance.

Meanwhile, Bootle clinched the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League title in style as they hammered Colwyn Bay by seven wickets at Wadham Road.

Steven Mullaney smashed 108 not out off just 85 balls as Bootle cruised to their target inside 37 overs. Mullaney’s devastating knock included 14 fours and five sixes.

Bootle have won back the crown they lost to Ormskirk in 2008 with two matches to spare.

Second placed Ormskirk enjoyed a 39-run win at bottom club Formby.

Southportwent down by 104 runs at home to Lytham.

Northern and Newton le Willows remain just above the drop zone after their crunch clash ended in stalemate.

Prestatyn missed the chance to pull clear of trouble as their home clash with Hightown ended in a dramatic draw.

BIRKENHEAD St Mary’s claimed the Bromborough Paints Merseyside and Southport Alliance Wirral derby at Parkfield Liscard by eight wickets. Mizan Haq was undefeated on 69 and Shakeel Nawaz finished with 8-49.

SCORES:Merseyside and Southport Alliance: @Alder 215-7 (M.Brick 74, N.Durand 50, J.David 5-28), Maritime 213 (F.Linz 72, S.Karunanithy 57); Parkfield Liscard 132 (S.Nawaz 8-49), Birkenhead St Mary’s 133-2 (M.Haq 69no); Prescot & Odyssey 122-5, Whitefield 121 (R.Afridi 48); Southport Trinity 240-8dec (W.van der Walt 123, G.Thornton 67, J.Green 4-36), Sutton 109-9 (L.Yates 55, A.Hall 4-27); Haydock v Norley Hall abandoned. Merseyside Competition: Aigburth 197-2dec (K.Highdale 67, P.O’Leary 59no, G.Talbot 4-34), Manweb 44 (J.Russell 4-19); Cheshire Lines 140 (S.Jamieson 5-29), Singlehurst 111 (S.Jamieson 58, J.Ireland 4-16); Goodlass 61 (J.Ferguson 5-16), St Mary’s College OB 125 (C.Nolan 42, S.Byrne 7-30); Mossley Hill 150 (P.Saunders 47, D.Toth 45, J.Roberts 6-28), Port Sunlight 225-7dec (B.Woods 65, H.Burkey 65); Merseyside Commonwealth 162 (C.Black 62, A.Van Beek 6-39), Bromborough 68 (P.Griffiths 6-15); Old Xaverians 179-5dec (K.Heywood 54no), Tranmere Vics 78.

IN the Cheshire County League Bowdon lost top spot when they were ro uted for 69 by Neston in a game dominated by bowlers on the usually batsman-friendly Parkgate pitch. Neston only managed a modest 116, Lancashire all- rounder Gareth Cross taking 6-33, but Bowdon fell 47 runs short at 69 all out, Stephen Ball 35, while Jordan Free enjoyed his best senior figures of 4-22 and Chris Finegan 3-31.