Caldy lose out in a close contest

Jul 13 2011 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

AINSDALE are four points clear at the top of the Second Division following a close win over Caldy.

Dhruv Singh led the way for Ainsdale, scoring 108, as his side posted 232-6 declared. Sunny Gandhi claimed 4-55, but he was eclipsed by teenager Steven Lucas who took 5-13 during Caldy’s reply, as despite an unbeaten 62 from Dan Hargreaves, they were dismissed 28 runs short of the target.

Birkenhead St Mary’s remain bottom of the division, despite reaching 218 all out from just 41 overs in their game with Burscough. Charlie Fernando smashed 89, with New Zealander Brendan Domigan taking 3-52. Domigan then impressed with the bat scoring 65 and sharing a stand of 123 for the fifth wicket with Jon Stone (67), as Burscough reached the total for the loss of six wickets.

Southport Trinity grabbed a much-needed win over St Helens who were dismissed for just 95 in their innings with Australian Steve Deller claiming 5-34. Trinity lost their captain Wim van der Walt to an injury sustained attempting a catch, but his absence did not prevent his side reaching the target for an eight-wicket win.

Skelmersdale won a thriller against Sutton to go third in the table. Seventeen-year-old James Edgar took 4-26 as Sutton were dismissed for just 123. Skelmersdale’s reply was struggling with three wickets apiece for Jonathan Green (3-31) and Liam Dodd (3-40), but an unbeaten 40 from young skipper Ben Maddocks saw his side home for a two-wicket win.

Parkfield Liscard recorded a fine victory over Wavertree, to pull away from the bottom.

A knock of 70 from Abid Riaz ensured Parkfield reached 178 all out, with Wavertree’s West Indian Rachid O’Neale taking 3-55 and Neil Clarkson 4-39. Some great tight bowling by Parkield followed, with three wickets each for Grant Hughes (3-26) and John Warrington (3-13) helping dismiss Wavertree for 135.