Horton dazzles on his return to Sefton

Jul 21 2008 by David Jones, Liverpool Daily Post

PAUL HORTON reappeared on the Liverpool Competition scene in style with a fine century – and that proved bad news for the opposition.

The Lancashire star helped Sefton Park to a second successive win and visitors Rainford were knocked off the top of the First Division table.

Horton compiled 119 (17 fours, one six) in just 124 balls and, with skipper Rob Houghton adding 76 (six fours, four sixes), the home side raced to 271 (54.1 overs).

The visitors never looked like matching it, their response ending on 170 (Tony Filson 46), as Dave Finch (3-24) and Houghton (3-37) bowled well.

Northop Hall regained pole position after a century from Danny Nolan (104, 11 fours) and 49 from James Dyer put them in command against Skelmersdale.

The Welsh side scored 225-6 declared (Jonas Smith 3-58) after being inserted. Good knocks by Hemal Watekar (69) and skipper Phil Armstrong (57) made a game of it, but they could only reach 188.

Leigh’s chances of holding on to joint top spot fell apart at Wavertree, but they did draw.

It was a game the home side needed to win, given their perilous position, and Peter Talbot (89, 11 fours, four sixes) starred in a home total of 218-9 declared (56.3). But Jenions’ spell of 6-50 off 24 saw the visitors hang on at 173-9 (48).

Highfield’s Niranjan Behera scoring a fine 101 not out (11 fours, four sixes) in the defeat of Huyton.

Behera and Sean Casham (44) put together 105 for the first wicket out of 160-2 declared (27). Lee Gallagher (50) and Dave Hutton (33) looked capable of securing Huyton’s first win, but ended on 143 (Chris Liptrot 3-29, Behera 3-62).

Orrell Red Triangle’s Richard Smith (47 not out) and Ather Abid (42 not out) completed an emphatic nine-wicket win over Ainsdale, who were dismissed for 116.

Liverpool’s match with Newton-le-Willows was postponed because of damage to the pavilion at Aigburth caused by an overnight fire. Wigan’s game against St Helens was abandoned because of the weather.