Cricket: Burscough go second as rain halts play

May 19 2008 by Our Correspondent, Liverpool Daily Post

BIRKENHEAD ST MARY’S remain top of the Merseyside and Southport Alliance following the seventh week of action, with three games falling to the weather and their clash with Alder ending in a draw.

Despite only drawing, Burscough move into second.

Alder enjoyed the best of the conditions to compile a sizeable 244 for 6 declared with major contributions from Muhammed Masroor (61) and Kenny Highdale (52), Mizan ul Haq grabbing 3 for 37. St Mary’s made steady progress in pursuit with Shakil Nawaz leading the way with 96 but eventually pulled the drawbridge up to finish on 163 for 7, Lance Mulholland taking 3 for 56.

Burscough posted an imposing 246 for 8 at Parkfield with Kenny Hughes (76) and Jon Stone (44) providing the backbone, John McLellan taking 5 for 37. In reply the home side were in trouble at 21 for 4 but were saved in fine style by 100 not out from Eddie McCullough as they closed on 176 for 7.

Prescot and Odyssey recorded their first win with an eight-wicket demolition of Haydock. Steve Holden bagged 4 for 37 as the Yickers were bowled out for 130, Chris Martin making 50. Sean Hogan (70) carried Prescot to the brink of victory before Jason Ratcliffe (34 not out) did the job with a towering six.

Southport Trinity chalked up the day’s other 20-pointer with a 41-run win over Norley Hall. Spinners Chris McLaughlin (5 for 61) and Peter Hollinrake (3 for 29) bowled well for Norley but Tony Campbell’s solid 74 helped Trinity to a useful 173 all out. It proved to be enough as Dave Andrews (4 for 29) and Jimmy Haynes (4 for19) bowled Norley out for 132.

Meanwhile, Manweb’s Peter Crookes smashed 11 sixes and six fours in 101 out of his side’s 222 for 4 declared only to see his effort come to nothing as rain prevented any second innings action against Tranmere Vics.

There was no play at Sutton against Caldy and Moorfield against Rainhill

A century from Jimmy Leybourn was the highlight of Cheshire Lines’ convincing 189 run win over Singlehurst in the Merseyside Cricket Competition. Mark Ward took 5 for 9 as the Lines won.

Elsewhere Steve Price (3-16) and Neil Creamer (3-22) bowled Whitefield to victory over Hale Park, Anton Jastin (4-8) starred for Bromborough at Maritime, Mossley Hill gained a narrow win over Goodlass and Steve Leyland (45) eased SMOB’s home against Shaftesbury after Jim Kelly (5-15) and Jack Ferguson (3-28) had done the damage.