Pressure increases in battle to escape drop

Jul 21 2008 by David Jones, Liverpool Daily Post

Pressure increases in battle to escape drop

AS the battle at the top continues between Firwood Bootle and Ormskirk, the struggle to avoid the drop is becoming as intense.

The abandonment of bottom club St Helens Recs’ game with Southport & Birkdale didn’t help their cause, but defeats for Formby, Wallasey and Maghull, is building up pressure.

Formby had one of those days against Lytham, although they showed character by making the visitors struggle to get over the line.

After electing to bat, Formby collapsed to 56 all out in 35.3 overs, with Martin Rigby wreaking chaos with 7-20 off 17.3 overs. They rocked the visitors, reducing them to 39-6, before a four wicket win.

Wallasey made a fist of it at Prestayn, particularly through the efforts of captain John Pugh (80) and Kuran Makol (33) in a total of 186 (62.5) after being inserted. Mario Olivier (4-38) and Ben Williams (4-57) had fine spells.

But the visitors’ attack couldn’t make the necessary inroads into the Welsh side’s batting, although they only won with the help of a leg bye off the last ball. Captain and opener Morne Williams (84 not out) orchestrated the successful chase, while Chris Bourne returned 3-82.

Five straight defeats have put Maghull’s survival hopes in jeopardy, the latest coming at the hands of Bootle.

After electing to bat, the champions found Ryan Swiers (5-59, 14 overs) and Suwanji Madanayake (4-49, 20.4) in inspired form and were restricted to 155 (45.4). David Snellgrove (33) and Craig Prince (31) were the top scorers.

But the home side struggled against the Lancashire pair of Stephen Parry (4-55) and Oliver Newby (3-20), who was making his debut, and were dismissed for 114 (John Ring 34).

Ormskirk are keeping pace with the leaders – but had to produce a great escape to beat Hightown.

At 11-4, having been inserted, things looked bleak, and were no better at 36-7.

But Adam Waterhouse (70) and Martyn Farrell (22) staged a remarkable recovery with 88 for the ninth wicket to post a score of 143 (52.2). Nathan Heathcliff-Core’s fine spell yielded 5-34 from 17 overs.

It proved too much for Hightown, with only skipper Ian Sutcliffe (39) offering much resistance, and they replied with 111 (Neil Wagner 5-42).

New Brighton enjoyed a comfortable win over Fleetwood Hesketh by 54 runs.

Louis Botes (43 not out) top scored in the Wirral side’s 204 (52.5) after winning the toss. He later took 3-37 and, with Ashraf Nawab (4-41), the visitors were bowled out for 150 (Jon Bowden 54 not out, Kasun Bodhisha 37).

Northern (140-8, Karl Garcia 37) drew with Colwyn Bay, who had totalled 210-8 (55) after being asked to bat. Sion Morris top scored with 65 and Patrick Leach made 47. Nick Woods had 3-68.