SKIPPER Robbie Houghton led by example with a match-winning performance as Sefton Park claimed their first victory of the season in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition First Division yesterday.

The all-rounder struck 50 in Sefton’s total of 190 all out off 47.1 overs after they had been put into bat by struggling St Helens Recs.

Paceman Luke Swards checked the home side’s progress with 5-60.

Houghton then starred with the ball as his left-arm spin proved too much for Recs.

He claimed 6-40 off his 12 overs as Recs could only muster 141 despite 62 from Stuart Toole.

Leigh inflicted a first defeat of the season on visitors Orrell Red Triangle, who suffered a dramatic collapse.

Orrell were going well at 131-4 but crashed to 149 all out off 47.4 overs.

Richard Smith top scored with 68, while Karl Brown claimed 4-45.

Leigh completed a six-wicket win as they eased to 150-4 off 34.1 overs.

There was an early finish at high-flying Wigan where the home side thrashed Burscough by nine wickets.

After being put into bat, Burscough were blown away for just 39 in 23 overs.

Mark Rawsthorne top scored with 13 and he was the only batsman to reach double figures.

It could have been even more embarrassing for Burscough as at one stage they had slumped to just 15-7.

Mark Shorrocks was their chief tormentor with 6-19 off 11 overs, while Matthew Leah also claimed 3-10.

Wigan lost Andy Ford for a duck but they cruised to their target off 12.5 overs thanks to Sean Casham (18no) and Aaron Redmond (21no).

St Helens were denied their first win as Ainsdale clung on to force a draw.

In reply to St Helens’ 194-9 off 43.4 overs, Ainsdale limped to 113-9 off 47 overs.

RAIN wrecked the mouth-watering contest between Fleetwood Hesketh and Ormskirk in the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League at Sea Cop yesterday.

After winning the toss and electing to field, Hesketh reduced the champions to 130-9 declared off 48.5 overs.

Ormskirk never recovered from being 15-3 but wicket-keeper Mathew Morgan led the fightback with 44.

Aaron Halsall ripped out the top three and he finished with 4-25.

The match was delicately poised with Fleetwood on 44-3 off 9.4 overs when it was abandoned. Nicky Caunce claimed two early wickets.

Southport & Birkdale suffered a four-wicket defeat at Colwyn Bay.

Aussie Ashton May struck 79 but Nicholas Devlin (23) was the only other batsman to reach double figures as Port were all out for 146 in 51.1 overs.

The Welshmen were indebted to the heroics of their Aussie Nathan Rimmington who claimed 6-53.

James Dixon responded with 3-53 but Sion Morris (64no) safely guided Bay to victory.

New Brighton completed a five-wicket victory at Newton-le-Willows.

After bowling the hosts out for 149, New Brighton clinched victory in the 38th over of their reply.

Firwood Bootle lost their 100% record as they were held to a draw in a shortened contest at Northern.

David Snellgrove’s side wasted little time posting 222-2 off 36 overs after being put into bat.

But Northern responded positively and reached 137-4 off their 41 overs in repluy.