THE Business Assistance Liverpool Competition season reaches its midway point tomorrow, but three Premier League clubs are also bidding for success on a rather bigger stage on Sunday when they attempt to reach the last 16 of the prestigious 45-over ECB National Knock-Out.

In one of a trio of attractive ties Ormskirk entertain Bolton League side Kearsley, and Brook Lane skipper Adam Waterhouse believes that his team is well set up to achieve success in the limited-overs format of the game.

“I openly admit that we’re not as strong as Bootle in the Liverpool Competition this season, “ he said. “However, in cup cricket we do look very, very good.

“Our problem on Saturdays is that we’ve lacked wicket-takers. On Sundays though, I’ve got seven bowlers I can call on, all of whom are capable of performing a good containing role.”

The presence in the Ormskirk attack of bowlers like Simon Kerrigan, Nicky Caunce and Martyn Farrell, in addition to the veteran Phil Unsworth, helps to explain why Ormskirk have a 100% record in knock-out cricket this season.

Such strength in depth may yet mean that 2009 sees another trophy going to Brook Lane to replace the championship pennant they seem destined to lose.

However, if Waterhouse’s men are to reach the quarter-finals of the National KO they will need to beat not only Kearsley, but also the winners of the clash between Leyland and Lytham which is being played at Fox Lane.

“I’ve got a feeling that if we all play to our ability this could be our year, “ said Lytham skipper Jimmy Wisniewski.

FIXTURES: TOMORROW: Business Assistance Liverpool Competition ECB Premier League: Fleetwood Hesketh v Bootle, Formby v Colwyn Bay, New Brighton v Lytham, Northop Hall v Newton-le-Willows, Prestatyn v Wallasey, Southport and Birkdale v Ormskirk. First Division: Burscough v Orrell Red Triangle, Leigh v Maghull, Liverpool v Skelmersdale, Rainford v Sefton Park, Rainhill v St Helens, Skelmersdale v St Helens Recs, Wigan v Rainford