New Brighton may challenge for top honours this season

Apr 23 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

New Brighton could once again be challenging for top honours this season and they certainly dominated for much of the game against Maghull in the Liverpool Competition Premier Division.

Paul Hale (60 not out) and David While (56 not out) shared an unbroken 119 for the third wicket in an impressive 221-2 declared.

A spirited response from visiting skipper Niall McDonnell, who amassed 91 (11 fours, one six), looked to challenge that total and Suwanji Madanayake (39) gave assistance. But spells from Ashraf Nawab (4-60) and Martyn Evans (3-23) restricted the visitors to 191 (53.3). Wallasey went down to a four wickets defeat at Lytham, where newcomer Paul Harrison (58) top scored in their 192-8 declared. Chris Bourne took 3-53 in the home reply.

In the ECB Premier Division of the Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League, Neston’s batting let them down against promoted Macclesfield at Parkgate, mustering only 111 (Jason Smith 33, Barney Cutbill 4-31).

Earlier Macclesfield tallied 171-9, Aussie debutant Nathan Allan scoring 54, while Neston’s teenage paceman Andy Clarke claiming 3-21.