Wallasey Cricket Club earn league win but lose out in quarter-final of Knockout Cup while New Brighton triumph in both their matches

Jul 29 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

Wallasey Cricket Club earn league win but lose out in quarter-final of Knockout Cup while New Brighton triumph in both their matches

WALLASEY Cricket Club’s fine run of form continued last Saturday with a four wickets triumph over Northop Hall.

However, their hopes of booking a place in the last four of the Knockout Cup were dashed the following day by Wirral rivals New Brighton.

In Saturday’s league encounter, Australian all-rounder Mitchell Cook's 6-77 restricted Danny Nolan's side to 194-8 declared in 60 overs, David Kennedy making 61 and adding 84 for the second wicket with his skipper who hit 56.

This target proved insufficient when subjected to an assault from the Wallasey heavy artillery in the shape of Kuran Makol (47), Mark Wilkie (32 not out including two sixes) and Chris Bourne (24 not out). The visitors clinched victory with four overs left.

However, the cup was a different tale 24 hours later.

Asked to bat first at The Kevin McCullagh Oval, Wallasey were all out for 122 in 35.1 overs.

Alex Eagles top-scored for Wallasey with 40 from 62 balls, an innings which featured three fours and a six.

In an exciting run-chase, Wallasey’s attack soon got among the New Brighton batting line-up.

Matty Hughes snapped up five wickets and New Brighton were teetering on ‘Nelson’ with nine wickets down.

But Martyn Evans’s unbeaten 18 and seven vital runs from last man in, Tim Watkins, saw New Brighton to their target and a one wicket win, one ball into the 40th over.

In other Business Assistance Liverpool & District Competition Premier League action on Saturday, New Brighton’s dogged pursuit of Bootle was boosted – the Rake Lane team picked up a win while the leaders were held to a surprising draw by bottom club Northern.

New Brighton’s triumph came at the expense of Newton-le-Willows.