ORRELL RED TRIANGLE held their nerve to win a thriller at Liverpool by six runs in the Liverpool Competition First Division.
Peter Manser hit 54 but Daniel Burns’ haul of 7-68 off 19.2 overs restricted Orrell to 193 all out.
Liverpool openers Matthew Jackson (33) and Ashley McDonald (49) put the hosts on course for victory but a middle order collapse triggered by Andrew Mercer (3-26) and Lee Martinus (3-42) cost them dear.
Karl Brown hammered 133 and claimed 4-42 as Leigh defeated Wigan by 78 runs.
The Lancashire pro hit 19 fours and three sixes in his 132-ball knock to help Leigh to 253-3 declared off 50 overs.
Brown then shone with the ball as Dale Tyrer (3-64) and him helped dismiss Wigan for 175. Mark Shorrocks top scored with 63 not out.
Southport & Birkdale began life in the First Division with a draw at Maghull.
Kyle Cranston (63) top scored in Port’s 246 all out as Chris Tonge took 4-29.
Maghull slumped to 10-3 but Shane Townsend came to their aid with a classy 133 not out as they ended up on 188-6.
Rainford were seven-wicket winners over Rainhill, but there were stalemates at Fleetwood Hesketh and Skelmersdale.
Formby openers Mark Baker (90) and Stuart Reading (74) put on 152 for the first wicket at Fleetwood as they declared on 263-3 off 50 overs.
Fleetwood responded with 204-7.
John Jackson (73) and Rajan Patel (73) shared a stand of 142 to as Sefton Park posted 242-5 off 54 overs against Skem.
However, despite 3-38 from spinner Phil Calrow, Park couldn’t make sufficient inroads and Skem ended on 185-6.
