Cricket: Hall over as rivals start to close the gap

May 19 2008 by David Jones, Liverpool Daily Post

NORTHOP HALL’S reign at the top of the Competition’s First Division could soon be over as a chasing pack of four clubs converge.

The Welsh side lead on 102, but fine wins for Leigh (96), Newton-le-Willows (94) and Sefton Park (93) – Liverpool are also on that total – sees them hot up the promotion chase.

Newton-le-Willows were far too strong for St Helens. Lyon (68 not out) and captain Ian Walkden (42) set up a total of 160-3 declared (34) after winning the toss and then dismissed the home side for 86.

Jaffar Nazir’s 6-25 off 17.1 restricted Ainsdale to 163 (Waqar Khan 58) and the visitors then won by three wickets.

Sefton Park earned victory at Wigan. The home side reached 164-6 declared (53.3 overs) after an opening stand of 86 between James Taylor (45) and captain Andy Ford (39). They then suffered a collapse with four wickets going in quick success, but Matthew Leah (45 not out) and Richard Smith (27) led the recovery. Peter Kelly took 3-52.

Former Sefton skipper Ben Moore led the fine response, hitting 76 (nine fours, two sixes) in a three wicket victory.

A century by Skelmersdale’s Andrew Molyneux was the highlight of their draw at Liverpool. The visitors totalled 220-6 declared (54.3).

Shiv Das (77, 11 fours, one six) and Andy Rogers (37) opened confidently with a stand of 123 in reply, and the home side pushed in to 207-7 (48) at the close.

Huyton gave an improved batting show at Orrell Red Triangle in their draw. They fought to 195-5 declared.

Northop Hall (52-1, Danny Nolan 44 not out) were frustrated by the weather after Niranjan Bohara struck 88 not out (12 fours) and share 142 for the fourth wicket with Andy Hargreaves (59 not out, six fours, one six) in Highfield’s 220-3 declared.

Narender Negi hit a century as Wavertree and Rainford suffered from the rain. The home side totalled 218-9 declared (58). The visitors’ reply ended at 30 without loss.