Sefton Park keep up promotion bid with away win

Aug 28 2007 by David Jones, Liverpool Daily Post

IMPRESSIVE away wins by Sefton Park and Newton-le-Willows has set up an intriguing climax in their promotion bids.

Skipper Ben Moore’s fine season continued with 108 (two sixes, 12 fours) as Sefton stormed to 253-7 declared (54 overs) at Liverpool. He shared 82 for the third wicket with Ritchie Bann (32), while Shiv Das returned 3-61.

The Aigburth side made a poor response, Jimmy Titmuss (46, six fours) their best in a disappointing 129 (39.3), with Dave Poskitt (4-50), David Baird (3-39) and Rob Houghton (3-23) impressing.

Second-placed Park currently hold a six-point advantage over Newton, who won at Highfield by 12 runs. Their total of 172 (49.3) centred around Tony Boardman’s 60 (seven fours) and a second-wicket partnership of 91 with Ian Lyon (33).

Skipper Mike Farrell (6-46) and Chris Liptrot (4-49) made it tough for the visitors, but Mike Walkden’s superb 7-32 off 17.4 overs proved decisive as the home side were restricted to 160, Todd Astle and Farrell each scored 35.

Wigan have enjoyed a great run of eight wins from nine games, the latest one bringing victory over leaders Formby.

Wigan captain Andy Ford (59) and Aaron Redmond (57) shared a stand of 79 for the second wicket as they set a target of 214 (53.4) after winning the toss. Tony Rogan (6-64) and rival captain Steve Dutton (4-39) shared the bowling honours.

Dave Hadden hit a fine 97 (18 fours) in reply but, with John Cooper taking 5-36, the visitors could only manage 181 (47.2).

Will Hantam’s 100 not out (one six, 13 fours) and Hadyn Williams’ 65 (two sixes, three fours) laid the foundations for Prestatyn’s win over Northop Hall, whose promotion hopes are fading fast. The home side totalled 230-9 declared (55), Simon Butler taking 4-43 and Aat-ur-Rehman 3-76, but after slipping to 3-3, Hall always looked losers and were dismissed for 120 (Hantam 4-36, Richard Williams 3-40).

Rakesh Patel starred with bat and ball as St Helens secured an eight-wicket win over Orrell Red Triangle.

Patel took 6-20 and Ikram Malik 4-32 to skittle the visitors for 84.

Craig Smith’s brilliant 7-35 sank bottom club Southport Trinity for just 119 in response to Ainsdale’s 205-6 declared (54.5) in which Waqar Khan top scored with 75 not out. He put on 104 for the sixth wicket with Smith (35).

Andy Batterley (53) and Mike Rotheram (44) top scored for Rainhill in their draw with Wavertree. They set 194-7 declared (65), Ian Jenions 3-72, and the visitors were 143-6 at the close.