Trio suffer heavy losses in poor displays

May 5 2008 by David Jones, Liverpool Daily Post

HUYTON, St Helens and Sefton Park endured nightmare batting performances in heavy defeats at the weekend in the Liverpool Competition’s First Division.

Huyton were skittled for 48 by Highfield before the visitors took a 10-wicket win.

St Helens managed just one more, crashing to 49 after electing to bat against Wigan. The visitors recorded an eight wicket success.

Chris Tonge and young Tom Meredith were prominent as Sefton Park collapsed to 76 all out after being inserted by Rainford. Fast bowler Tonge took 5-25 and Pravin Tambe (3-5) did well, while wicketkeeper Tom Meredith took three catches and two stumpings. The home side cruised to an eight-wicket win with Tonge making 29 not out.

Stephen Nealey has made a confident start to the season and his unbeaten 97 (nine fours, one six) set in-form Liverpool up for victory at Newton-le-Willows.

Last week, Rainford suffered at the hands of Ata-ur-Rehman, who took seven wickets. Saturday saw the Northop Hall bowler repeat the feat (7-47) as Skelmersdale went down by 29 runs.

The First Division leaders totalled 164-8 declared off 55 overs. Hemal Watekar (57) put up resistance, but the Welsh team’s bowler engineered a collapse to 135.

From 52-0, Wavertree slumped to 104 after losing the toss at Leigh. Roussak hit 34 in the six-wicket win.