Wallasey drop back into relegation zone

Jul 30 2008 by James Maloney, Birkenhead News

cricket

WALLASEY switched places with Formby and dropped back into the relegation zone courtesy of Liam Crilly’s match-winning performance during the two side’s clash last Saturday.

Crilly certainly made his presence felt with bat and ball in the bottom-of-the-table clash at Wallasey, who suffered a defeat by 40 runs in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League.

His heroics began with 65 (eight fours) and, aided by Dave Conlan’s 40, allowed the visitors to reach 204 (John Murphy 4-41, Chris Bourne 3-55) after they were inserted.

Crilly, who has been among the wickets lately, then took 6-53 as Wallasey, for whom Zimbabwe Test star Brendan Taylor made his debut and hit an unbeaten 82 not out, were dismissed for 164.

New Brighton lost ground in the title race a fortnight ago with defeat at Firwood Bootle, but they cannot be ignored after skittling Northern, and seeing their rivals only manage draws.

Northern, 41 without loss at one stage, crashed to 90 all out after electing to bat, with Nazim Mohammed taking 5-32. The visitors completed a seven-wicket win through a half-century stand for the second wicket between Matthew Thompson (41) and Paul Hale (29).

Meanwhile in the Right Move Abroad Cheshire County League ECB Premier League, Hyde lost a golden chance to go second when Neston beat them by 52 runs at Werneth Low. Neston totalled 190, Danny Berry 5-25, but Hyde could muster only 138, Chris Finegan 3-37, Phil Stimpson 3-51.

Elsewhere in the Bromborough Paints Merseyside and Southport Alliance, Caldy’s march up the table was halted when they fell by three wickets in a low-scoring affair against Prescot & Odyssey. Venkat Mudiliar claimed 5-19 for the winners. Birkenhead St Mary’s eased to a 100-run win at Tranmere Vics. Steve McGennity 120 and Shakeel Nawaz undefeated on 67 batted well. Nawaz followed up with 5-50 and Abdul Chippa claimed 4-29.

In the Cheshire County Division One, Birkenhead Park drew against Bramhall on Saturday. Having been at 60 for 6, a dramatic fightback led by Zia Ur Rehman, 106, and Jon Crofton 55 not out with a stand of 115 enabled Birkenhead Park to declare at 211 for 7.

In reply, a good start led by Cheshire Captain Andy Hall saw Bramhall reach 50 for the loss of no wickets, but excellent bowling from S Khan with 5 for 35 off 17 overs saw the hosts collapse, eventually finishing at 130 for 8.