New Brighton continued their fine form with a win over Northern

Jun 3 2009 by Our Correspondent, Birkenhead News

NEW Brighton closed the gap on Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League leaders Bootle with an emphatic six-wicket win over Northern at Rake Lane.

A fourth successive victory for Tim Watkins' side was secured by an impressive bowling performance.

Northern, who lost their unbeaten record to Ormskirk last week, opted to bat first but were soon ruing that decision as they slipped to 10-2.

The visitors never recovered and only three batsmen made double figures as they were all out for 90 off 46.3 overs.

Martyn Evans claimed 4-23, while Nazim Mohammed bagged 3-22.

Openers John While (27) and David While (21) got New Brighton's reply off to a solid start and despite Jack Woosey taking three wickets they reached their target off 28 overs.

Champions Ormskirk halted Bootle's run of four straight wins by clinging on to force a draw.

Bootle dominated early on with opener Steven Mullaney (51) and skipper David Snellgrove (50) sharing a stand of 95.

After they had departed Pat Jackson (41) and Craig Prince (57) kept the momentum going to help them declare on 232-6 off 54.3 overs. Martyn Farrell ended up with 3-41.

That total always looked beyond Ormskirk and at 84-6 they were heading towards defeat.

However, skipper Adam Waterhouse (32) dug in as did Phil Armstrong (19no) and Nicky Caunce (20) to ensure Ormskirk closed on 165-9 off 59 overs.

Snellgrove, whose side are now only 27 points clear, finished with 3-37.

Colwyn Bay are level on points with New Brighton after their 80-run win at home to Wallasey.

Charlie Clubb (46) and Ed Parry (42no) led Bay to 193-9 off 55 overs despite Mitchell Cook taking 6-58.

Mark Wilkie struck 42 in Wallasey's reply but received little support and they were all out for 113. Paul Jenkins took 4-18 and Aussie Nathan Rimmington 4-49.

Fleetwood Hesketh sealed a remarkable one-wicket win in a thriller at home to Hightown.

Chasing 198 to win, Hesketh looked doomed at 155-9 but an heroic 10th-wicket stand between debutant Faisal Yasin (62no) and Aaron Halsall (20no) saw them home in the 50th over.

Hightown, who were unbeaten in five league games, had earlier posted 197 all out off 47 overs with skipper Ian Sutcliffe hitting 54 and Gareth Glynn-Jones 51. Medium-pacer Yasin was the pick of the attack with 4-60, while Halsall bagged 3-23.

Formby lifted themselves away from the drop zone with a three-wicket win at home to Southport & Birkdale.

Southport were in control early on with Dave Aston (102no) and Ashton May (70no) sharing an unbeaten third wicket stand of 126 in their total of 239-2.

But Formby hit back to clinch victory in the 55th over thanks to Justin Waller (84) and Tom Mills (43).

Lytham forced a draw at home to Northop Hall.

Alex Smith (50) and Matthew Cree (69) led Hall to 186 all out off 63.3 overs with Michael Rigby taking 4-34.

Lytham got off to a disastrous start in reply and were 0-2 before Joseph Davies (55) and Jimmy Wisniewski (41) steadied the ship.

After they were out wickets tumbled but Lytham survived on 161-9 off 41 overs. Simon Butler (4-58) and Danny Nolan (3-46) starred for Hall.

There was a tight finish at Newton le Willows who ended on 194-9 in reply to Prestatyn's 197-8 declared.