New Brighton and Ormskirk play out a draw

Apr 22 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

DAVID SNELLGROVE’S reign as Firwood Bootle skipper began in style as they hammered Hightown by 125 runs on the opening day of the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier Division season.

After electing to bat, Bootle recovered from 22-2 to post 221-7 off 50.1 overs thanks to Pat Jackson (53), Jack Kelliher (40) and Steve Dutton (65). Andrew Warhurst was the pick of the Hightown attack with 3-75.

In reply the visitors were blown away for just 96. Ronnie Davis took 4-23 and Matt Lawless mopped up the tail with 3-0 off 2.1 overs.

Champions Ormskirk had to settle for a draw at last season’s runners-up New Brighton, who hit 213-9 off 64 overs after electing to bat.

Matthew Thompson top scored with 66 and John While struck 42, while Martyn Farrell and Simon Kerrigan each claimed three wickets.

Nazim Mohammed did his best to force a result with 4-32 but John Armstrong finished unbeaten on 96 as Ormskirk’s innings closed on 167-5 off 49 overs.

Northern got off to a winning start as they beat Prestatyn by six wickets.

The Welsh side will have fancied their chances after skipper Steve Giblin (91 not out) and Darren Hughes (46) starred in their total of 246-7 off 55 overs.

But Northern produced a fine chase to reach their target with an over to spare.

Opener Vaughan Williams (59) got them off to a flying start and Jack Boardman chipped in with 37.

James Cole played the match-winning knock with 80 not out off 90 balls and he received good support from Paul Park (25 not out).

Southport & Birkdale sneaked home by three wickets at home to Wallasey.

The home side appeared to be cruising after dismissing Wallasey for just 96 in 41.3 overs as James Dixon took 3-28.

However, Chris Bourne led the fightback with 5-33, including a hat-trick, but Southport were indebted to an unbeaten 45 from Ashton May.

Paul Jenkins’ haul of 5-25 proved crucial as Colwyn Bay beat Lytham by 53 runs.

Sion Morris struck 83 in Bay’s total of 165-9 off 55 overs as Jimmy Wisniewski claimed 6-26.

Lytham were then dismissed for 112 in 33 overs with Jenkins ably assisted by Nathan Rimmington (3-48).

Lawrence Watts returned impressive figures of 6-15 as Fleetwood Hesketh enjoyed a 73-run win at home to newly promoted Northop Hall.

Neil Rimmer (95) and Gary Wells (54) helped Hesketh post 221-9 off 54.5 overs as Simon Butler took 5-67.

Butler completed a fine all-round performance by making 62 but Hall had no answer to Watts and fell a long way short of their target.

Aussie Justin Waller smashed the highest score of the day as he made 144 in Formby’s 27-run victory over Newton le Willows. Formby posted 225-8 declared off 54.5 overs with Waller putting on 121 for the opening wicket with Stuart Reading (48). The visitors could only reach 198 in reply as Jon Taylor took 5-38 and Waller 3-36.