Wallasey’s last gasp escape

Sep 17 2008 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

JOY and relief were among the emotions for both sides amid the celebrations that went on at Wallasey.

Ormskirk completed a wonderful season by clinching the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League crown and the host club, by defeating the new champions, saved themselves from relegation.

Undoubtedly, it was a tense final day of Business Assistance Liverpool Competition cricket and nowhere more so than on the Wirral.

Having taken a 19-point lead the previous week, Adam Waterhouse knew his side just needed seven points to take the title. By dismissing Wallasey for 205, and hearing that nearest rivals Firwood Bootle had managed only 137 at St Helens Recs, the Brook Lane outfit knew they could not be caught.

The Ormskirk skipper played a crucial role, too, taking 5-36 as their opponents achieved 205 (49.5 overs) after electing to bat. Ritchie Conlan was their star with an unbeaten 84 (12 fours, three sixes), while Kuran Makol hit 45. Simon Kerrigan completed a superb season with 3-55.

Another incisive spell from Chris Bourne of 6-56 helped to restrict the visitors to 189 (47.4) in reply – a personal triumph for John Armstrong, who top scored with 80 and in doing so reached 1,000 runs for the season – the first Ormskirk player to achieve the feat post war.

It was Ormskirk’s first Premier title since 2001.

The home win consigned both Recs and Maghull, who defeated Colwyn Bay, to First Division cricket next year.

Maghull’s disastrous run of 12 games without a win proved their undoing, but they at least went out on a high, beating Colwyn Bay by two wickets.

New Brighton claimed third place, finishing off with a 50-run win over Hightown.

Charitha Fernando (39) boosted the Wirral side to 138 (David Maskell 4-24, Andy Warhurst 3-52). Openers Shaun Vosloo and Martin Stoker each scored 29, but there was little else as the visitors crashed for 88 (Ashraf Nawab 4-29, Martyn Evans 3-14).