Northern miss golden chance in league title hunt

Jul 23 2007 by David Jones, Liverpool Daily Post

NORTHERN will feel they missed out on the perfect opportunity to lift themselves back into the Liverpool Competition Premier League title hunt.

Lytham, fourth in the table, were reeling at 46-6 in reply to the sixth-placed side’s 170-8 declared (27 overs). But the home side staged a terrific recovery to force a draw at 161-9 (34).

It was so frustrating, particularly for Lancashire youngster Steve Mullaney, whose efforts almost brought about a victory for the Crosby club that could have lifted them to third, especially with all the other games called off.

Mullaney top scored for the visitors with a fine 61 and then did most of the damage in reply with 6-56 off 13 overs.

Nick Woods, another batsman in form, hit 37 and shared a third wicket stand of 95 with Mullaney, who plundered three sixes and six fours. Carl Hey contributed 28.

Northern had received just a handful of overs after being inserted before a prolonged stoppage due to rain. When they returned their batsman pushed the score along at over six an over.

Guy Roberts (4-31) and Anthony Mulligan (3-56) were the pick of the home attack.

Thanks to Mullaney’s spell it looked as if the game would end quickly.

But Lytham, who have their eyes on a first title, fought back with crucial stands of 32 between Rob Dingle, who was 57 not out (one six, eight fours) at the close, and Lee Hilton (31) for the seventh wicket, and then 61 for the eighth between Dingle and Marcus Sharp (29).

Games off: Firwood Bootle v Huyton, High town v New Brighton, Leigh v Fleetwood Hesketh, Maghull v Colwyn Bay, St Helens Recs v Southport & Birkdale and Wallasey v Ormskirk