Purser set for family rivalry in cup clash

Jul 23 2007 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

FIRWOOD BOOTLE seam bowler Will Purser played a major role in keeping his side on course for a fourth successive Lancashire Cup win and then discovered that he will probably be playing against his father in the semi-final against Heywood at Wadham Road.

Purser junior cracked a half century as the cup-holders recovered from 111 for six against Earby, eventually reaching 203 for 9 from their 40 overs. He then took two for 11 as the Ribblesdale League outfit collapsed to 103 all out.

The Lancashire second team player soon discovered his father had been the only player to hit the stumps in the bowl-out which had decided the quarter-final between Heywood and Kendal.

Purser had been joined in the fightback by Craig Prince (30) who helped him add 88 for the seventh wicket and the visitors’ formidable total was also due to a 51-run stand for the third wicket between David Snellgrove (47) and Graham Lloyd (28).

Elsewhere, heavy rain cut the Sunday knockouts and caused particular disappointment for a former Wadham Road favourite now playing at Colwyn Bay where the home team’s Business Assistance Liverpool Competition match against Southport and Birkdale was abandoned.

For the Welsh side’s wicket-keeper, Graham Jones, the rain which damaged his side’s championship challenge gave him time to reflect on his 13 years of triumph at Bootle.

Both the President’s Trophy tie between the Liverpool Competition and the Derbyshire Premier League, and the Cockpur Cup last 16 clash between Lytham and the West Indian Cavaliers were also abandoned. A third attempt will be made to play the latter match next Sunday.