Cricket Round-up: Wallasey lead the way after cross-Mersey joy

Jul 11 2012 by Jamie Bowman, Birkenhead News

AFTER Friday’s deluge it took some superhuman efforts from grounds-staff across the region to ensure that only one match was lost in the BFS LDCC Premier Division.

Sadly it was the much-anticipated match-up between Bootle and Northern that was abandoned, with the result ensuring Lytham were able to extend their lead at the top to 27 points.

The closest match of the day took place at Church Road where struggling Rainford narrowly missed out recording their first win of the season against New Brighton. Half-centuries from Nicholas Hendrie (64) and Mark Williams (50) took relegation-threatened Rainford to 181 all out as Martyn Evans (5-37) and Ashraf Nawab (4-67) posted excellent figures.

New Brighton lost opener Louis Boates to the third ball of the game but his fellow opener Matthew Thompson then proceeded to hit a superb unbeaten innings of 103 off 115 balls as he dominated New Brighton’s reply.

As wickets tumbled to John Dotters (5-58) at the other end, Thompson stood firm as New Brighton reached the target in the 41st over for the loss of eight wickets.

Wallasey claimed win number nine of the season to lead the BFS LDCC First Division by 43 points, Liverpool their victims.

Wallasey’s innings was built around a great knock of 80 from opener Graham Reid as the leaders were dismissed for 203.

Chris Whelan (6-68) was the pick of the Liverpool bowlers and his side looked well placed to reach the target at 156-5. However, four wickets for Chris Bourne (4-46) and three for Matty Hughes (3-42) ensured Liverpool collapsed to leave them 163 all out and just one spot above the relegation zone.

Birkenhead Park are three points clear at the top of the BFS LDCC Second Division after they saw off Burscough in a tight encounter at School Lane.

Brendan Domigan top-scored with 42 as Burscough declared on 138-9 off 53 overs but it was Chris Stenhouse who deserved the plaudits for his brilliant 8-56 off 27 overs.

Park reached the target in the 41st over for the loss of seven wickets, three of which fell to Chris Andrews (3-26).

Parkfield Liscard are second after they beat bottom club Old Xaverians.

Israr Ul haq took 5-40 as the struggling newcomers to the league were dismissed for just 79.

Parkfield reached the target for the loss of three wickets.

Birkenhead St Mary’s finally recorded their first win of the season after thrashing a poor Caldy side.

Muhammad Akmal Ghafoor top scored with 80 for St Mary’s who were able to declare on a daunting 234-7 off 46.3 overs.

Mark Downes (3-11) was the pick of the bowlers for Caldy who were blown away by a superb spell from Darcy Ward who claimed 6-17 off nine overs.

Team-mate Adam Heayns (3-11) took three more to ensure Caldy were bowled out for just 85.