Hat-trick of Wirral sides are going up

Sep 19 2012 by Jamie Bowman, Birkenhead News

WALLASEY are the LDCC First Division champions following a 91-run win over Liverpool which secured the club’s return to the Premier League after two seasons away.

Chris Whelan (3-37) and Robert Simmons (4-34) both bowled well as the champions were dismissed for 170.

But Liverpool’s batting was poor with Wallasey’s Liam Crilly (3-16) and Andrew Ward (4-5) both posting outstanding figures as the Aigburth Road side were dismissed for just 79.

Birkenhead Park have won the LDCC Second Division after they saw off the challenge of Burscough in the title decider at Park Drive.

Batting first, Burscough declared early on 160-5 in an effort to deny Park any additional bonus points with Brendan Domigan’s 88 the top score.

A Burscough win looked on the cards when Birkenhead Park were 70-4. But Matthew Howard (49 not out) and skipper Chris Stenhouse (51 not out) steadied the ship to secure the title in Birkenhead Park’s first season back in the Liverpool Competition.

Burscough’s defeat allowed Parkfield Liscard to claim the second promotion spot on a good day for the Wirral clubs. Batting first against Old Xaverians, Parkfield declared on 168-8 off 55 overs with Joseph Lyons (4-47) picking up the best figures.

Kamran Hussein’s 5-36 then helped secure the win as Old Xavs were dismissed for 117.

Caldy claimed a fourth win of the season after they saw off the challenge of Birkenhead St Mary’s who finish bottom. Batting first, Caldy were dismissed for 192 with three wickets each for Zahid Mohammad (3-32) and Mike Bowe (3-12).

St Mary’s battled hard but were eventually bowled out for 171 with Dave Kay’s 4-42 the pick of the figures.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the Premier Division there was heartbreak for Rainford as they slipped into Division One following an eight wicket defeat at New Brighton. Nick Hendrie’s batting form has seen him score over 700 league runs for Rainford this season and his 75 was the lone highlight as the visitors were bowled out for 155.

Ashraf Nawab (3-50) and Louis Boates (3-25) took the wickets and Boates (79 not out) completed an excellent match as he and Neil Cross (70 not out) compiled a third wicket partnership of 146 to take New Brighton to victory.

NESTON Cricket Club has been selected as the venue for this year’s Last Man Stands T20 National Finals on September 22-23. The champions from local leagues will compete for the top prize of £2,000. For more details log on to the official website www.lastmanstands.com