New Brighton on track in their push for Premier League title

Jul 2 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

New Brighton on track in their push for Premier League title

WITH their seventh win from eight games, New Brighton have firmly declared their intentions on the title in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League.

The third placed Wirral side totalled 177 (John While 43, Zahid Mohammed 35, Martyn Evans 31) against Colwyn Bay, for whom Ryan Holtby took 5-29 and Debasis Mohanty 3-45. But Charitha Fernando (5-35) and Evans (4-40) reduced the visitors to 114 (Paul Jenkins 40).

Meanwhile, Dale Cranston (56 not out) and Mark Baker (27) helped Southport & Birkdale recover with a stand of 70 that laid the foundations for victory over Wallasey.

In the ECB Premier Division of The Right Move Abroad County League, Neston’s poor run continued when they lost by three wickets at Nantwich after declaring at 208-9.

Nantwich replied with 210-7, Rod Doyle 41, Marc Debrabender 38 not out, John Farrow 4-60. Wicket-keeper Andy Roberts claimed five victims for Neston.

Alder kept top place in the Bromborough Paints Merseyside and Southport Alliance with a hard-earned four-wicket home success over close rivals Norley Hall.

Chris Spencer hit an unbeaten 65 and the bowlers to shine were Steve Harrison with 4-10 and Lance Mulholland 4-63. Imran Quadir struck 40 for Norley.

Rainhill returned to winning ways at the expense of Caldy with a comfortable 101 runs margin. Mike Rotheram top-scored with 52 and Tom Sehpton enjoyed a 5-16 haul. Parkfield Liscard took the local derby at Birkenhead St Mary’s by three wickets with John McClennan top-scoring on 72 and Phil Moore 47 making not out. Steve McGenity contributed 101 for the Saints and Shakeel Nawaz 57.

Haydock took the bottom of the table clash against Tranmere Vics by three wickets. Mark Redman enjoyed a 5-26 return. Elsewhere, Birkenhead Park suffered defeat at home to Christleton last Saturday.

Despite a strong a start from Park, in which they reached 59 for 1, A Gibson 32 and M Barnes 22, there was a collapse and were suddenly 65 for 5 with good bowling from Parkinson 4 for 54 and I Da Silva 3 for 16.

Park finished on 104 all out. In reply, Christleton reached 39 for 2 but some good fielding and excellent bowling, particularly from Carl Ainsworth, 4 for 27 off 18 overs, saw the visitors collapse at 72 for 6.

But the key change in the match came at this point and a drop catch from Zia Ur Rehman let Christleton off the hook for them to eventually reach their target with three wickets remaining.