New Brighton unable to stall Kirk’s runaway lead in Prem

May 14 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

ORMSKIRK increased their lead to 16 points in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League following a high scoring clash with New Brighton.

The Wirral side, struggling for form, called a halt at 219-9 declared (64) after winning the toss. Charitha Fernando made 54 and shared a key stand of 80 for the sixth wicket with Lawrence Wilson (31), while Simon Kerrigan took 4-50.

Ormskirk’s John Simpson (71) and Matthew Glayzer (52) spearheaded the reply, and then James Illingworth guided them home by four wickets with an unbeaten 38, Fernando finishing with 3-45.

Wallasey experienced victory for the first time this season by three wickets over St Helens Recs.

They restricted the visitors to 149 (Stuart Lyon 56 not out) off 43 overs and Chris Bourne, who had taken 4-27, hit an unbeaten 39 in the chase.

Meanwhile, an impressive performance against Neston at Parkgate brought Bowdon their fourth successive victory and earned them top place in the ECB Premier Division of The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

After their batting heroics the previous week Neston were again among the runs with a declared tally of 229-6, thanks to former Upton youngster Lee Dixon 66, Jack Smith 61 and Stan Clifford 49 not out. Bowdon topped that with a response of 231-6.

Elsewhere, Birkenhead St Mary’s maintained winning form in the Bromborough Paints Merseyside and Southport Alliance during a thriller that went to the last over at Rainhill.

The Saints got home by five wickets with Shakeel Nawaz hitting an unbeaten 80 and Steve McGenity 66. Khuran Shazard struck 70 for Rainhill and Mike Rotheram 65. Mizan Haq claimed 5-46 for the winners.

Caldy secured their first win by eight wickets against Haydock. Rich Battersby took 8-22 as the visitors were dismissed for just 65.

Moorfield made it by 66 runs at Tranmere Vics. Mark Brick (70) and Rob Yearsley (53) helped Moorfield to declare on 187-4. Vics recovered from 9-6 to total 121 with Ed Briers, batting at number 10, finishing on 41 not out.

Andy Birley’s nicely-balanced Oxton side whipped Timperley by 10 wickets at Townfield Lane to go top of the First Division in The Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League.

Timperley were bowled out for 143, Birley himself taking 3-22 and Chris Stenhouse 3-38, while 62-year-old trundler Mike Fell claimed an admirable 2-17 off seven tight overs in the heat.

Oxton replied with 144-0, with fine batting by Simon Stokes 77 and Cheshire left-hander Chris Davies 59.

Upton recorded their third win of the season by two wickets at Poynton, whom they dismissed for 145, Ian Linwood claiming 4-27.

Gary Dixon’s men replied with 145-8, Aussie Adam Watson top-scoring with 56. Warrington were held to a draw at home by Birkenhead Park, for whom Pakistani all-rounder Zia ur Rehman had a fine match. Warrington declared on 231-7, Queensland all-rounder Dane Hutchinson 71 not out and Park reached 195-7 in reply.