ORMSKIRK relinquished top spot in the BFS LDCC Premier League after falling to their first league defeat of the season against Leigh.
Batting first, Ormskirk slumped to 120 all out, with wicket keeper Gary Knight’s 42 the only score of note. Leigh’s Richard Dempster starred with 6-40 but his side struggled to reach the small total as Ormskirk’s Simon Kerrigan shrugged off the disappointment of Lancashire’s Roses defeat to Yorkshire, to take 5-35. Leigh eventually got over the line with seven wickets down.
The game of the day took place at Newton-le-Willows as the bottom of the league side snatched a stunning first victory of the season over Bootle. A fourth wicket stand of 126 between Danny Barlow (91) and Mark Fearnley (65) took Willows to 244-7 declared from 72 overs. Bootle’s reply looked to be struggling at 83-4, but in stepped Lancashire’s Stephen Parry who proceeded to smash 133 from 106 balls, including 25 boundaries. Parry’s knock took Bootle to the brink of victory but his teammates could not support him as they were dismissed just nine runs short of the total.
New Brighton remain in relegation trouble after defeat at new league leaders Lytham. Three wickets each for Dewayne Bowden and David Cuthill were the highlights for New Brighton as the home side reached 212-9 declared thanks to 89 from Nick Knight and 50 for Dominic O’Brien. A fourth wicket stand of 116 between brothers David (58) and John While (71*) took New Brighton close but they were eventually dismissed for 182, as five wickets for Ben Saunders and three for Marcus Sharp did the job for Lytham.
Hightown returned from Wales empty handed after a heavy defeat to Colwyn Bay. A valiant 63 from Nick Death was the only stand out, as Town were dismissed for just 113 in 28 overs. The small total was reached by the Welsh side for the loss of only two wickets as they move up to third in the table.
Highfield remain in contention following a big victory over Northop Hall. An unbeaten 69 from Tim Buszard helped the Welsh side to 157 all out, with 5-36 for Scott Cornish the stand out for Highfield. Half centuries from openers James Taylor (53) and Michael Farrell (60) ensured the target was reached easily in an eight wicket win.
Rainford and Northern battled out the only drawn game of the day to leave both sides still searching for their second wins. Captain James Cole top scored for the Crosby side with 70 as his team reached 200-7 declared. Rainford looked to be done for after being reduced to 7-4 but half centuries from Mark Williams (53) and Michael Lambert (51) saw them recover to hang on for hard earned draw. Northern’s Tom Bailey posted excellent figures of 5-53.
