All the latest from the Liverpool Competition

Jun 10 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

FIRWOOD BOOTLE strengthened their grip on top spot in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League with a nine-wicket win over fellow high-flyers New Brighton at Wadham Road.

The leaders opted to bowl first and the decision paid off with Mark O'Connor (4-37) and Pat Jackson (5-52) limiting the Wirral club to 145 all out off 41 overs.

Opener John While struck 41 but New Brighton never recovered from being 19-3 and it took a gutsy 37 from tail-ender Ashraf Nawab to boost their total after they found themselves at 83-7.

Bootle made light work of their run chase as openers Steven Mullaney (55) and David Snellgrove (68 not out) put on 107 for the first wicket. They reached their target off 31 overs as Snellgrove passed 500 league runs for the season.

Colwyn Bay are clear in second place – 24 points behind Bootle – after inflicting a third successive defeat on Northern, who are now in the bottom three.

Nathan Rimmington (80no) and Sion Morris (65) shared a third-wicket stand of 140 as Bay posted 164-3 declared off 41.4 overs. James Cole struck 66 in Northern's reply but their chase fell 12 runs short with Ryan Holtby taking a career best 6-33.

Fleetwood Hesketh suffered a shock six-wicket defeat at bottom club Prestatyn. Hesketh were in control as Neil Rimmer (86) and Derek Sykes (90) put on 117 for the second wicket in their 203-3 declared off 44.3 overs.

However, their bowlers struggled and the previously winless Welshmen took full advantage.

Gareth Boughey hammered a superb 93 off 89 balls and Russell Walker hit 53 as Prestatyn reached their target with 16 balls to spare.

Southport & Birkdale secured a thrilling one-wicket win at home to Hightown. The hosts appeared to be cruising after bowling Hightown out for 118 off 37.4 overs but it was hard work in reply. Andrew Warhurst (3-16) and Ashok Thakur (3-44) kept Hightown in contention but Southport got home thanks to 30 apiece from skipper Mark Fletcher and Kyle Cranston.

Wallasey moved out of the drop zone with a nine-wicket demolition of fellow strugglers Newton-le-Willows.

Newton were dismissed for just 91 off 27.3 overs with Chris Bourne taking 5-18. Opener Mark Wilkie then smashed an undefeated 75 off just 42 balls as Wallasey won in just 12 overs.

Wilkie's explosive innings included seven fours and five sixes and he finished it in style by taking 24 runs off the luckless John Humphreys's one over.

Formby were held to a draw at home to Lytham.

Justin Waller (80) and Anthony Poole (71no) put on 116 in Formby's 192-4 declared off 42.3 overs.

James Beckingham then took 7-71 but Lytham survived to close on 169-8.

Ormskirk's match at Northop Hall was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

IN the First Division, Jonas Smith's heroics were in vain as Skelmersdale suffered a 50-run defeat at the hands of leaders Wigan.

The seamer returned stunning figures of 7-25 off 15 overs as Wigan were reduced to 75-8.

However, John Wright Jnr (32) and Mark Rowe (39no) helped Wigan boost their total to 143 all out off 41.5 overs.

Those late runs proved crucial as Skem were bowled out for 93 in 30 overs. Mark Adams top scored with 38 but received little support as Mark Shorrocks claimed 6-26.

Wigan are 50 points clear of second-placed Highfield who couldn't polish off winless Burscough.

Simon Mollitt's unbeaten 88 helped Highfield to 162-6 declared off 36 overs.

Scott Cornish then claimed 6-40 but Burscough dug in to close on 132-9 off 35 overs.

Captain Alan Murray led from the front with 54.

Sefton Park skipper Robbie Houghton produced another impressive all-round performance but it wasn't enough to secure victory at Maghull.

Park were in deep trouble at 85-5 but Houghton came to their rescue with 72 not out off just 50 balls. His innings included 13 fours and two towering sixes.

Sefton declared on 175-9 off 40 overs with Liam Crilly taking 7-62.

In reply Paul Walters (42) and Andrew Hewitt (36) put on 79 for the first wicket. Maghull appeared to be cruising but Phil Calrow got rid of both openers and then Houghton (4-69) transformed the contest with a hat-trick.

He had Aussie wicketkeeper Shane Townsend caught at midwicket by John Jackson and then trapped both Jonathan Ring and Gregory Gillespie leg before.

Houghton celebrated with a somersault but after that Maghull rallied with Crilly hitting 33.

Once he departed to Calrow (3-44) Maghull blocked out and finished on 159-8 off 42 overs.

Liverpool and St Helens did their best to serve up some entertainment at Aigburth but a shortened game finished in stalemate.

St Helens posted 190-7 declared off 29.4 overs with Robert Supria (65) and Brad Lovell (52) shining. Iain Handley checked the visitors' progress with 3-57.

Liverpool went all out for victory with Ashley McDonald (58) and Davidson (78no) leading the charge. The duo put on 119 for the second wicket and Davidson's knock came off just 53 balls.

However, Robert Kenny (4-56) dismissed both of them and Liverpool finished short on 164-5 off 27 overs.

Rainford held on to thwart visitors Orrell Red Triangle.

Orrell declared on 198-3 off 48 overs thanks to key contributions from Zahoor Elahi (74no) and Chris Riley (63).

Dominic Lawton then claimed 5-36 but Rainford held on at 96-8 off 39 overs. Opener Michael Tarran top scored with 37.

Rainhill v Ainsdale and St Helens Recs v Leigh were both abandoned without a ball being bowled.