New Brighton close in on Bootle’s lead

Aug 18 2008 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

NEW Brighton kept up their pursuit of Liverpool Competition Premier League leaders Bootle with a 19-run win at home to Lytham.

Martyn Evans led the way with an unbeaten 69 as they posted 191-7 declared off 50.5 overs.

Guydo Van Roberts gave Lytham hope with 75 not out but Evans completed a fine all-round display with 4-41 and Nazim Mohammed took 3-46 to clinch victory for New Brighton.

Fellow challengers Ormskirk were thwarted by the elements.

They scored 221-8 declared off 54.3 overs at Fleetwood Hesketh thanks to Ian Robinson (80), Adam Waterhouse (46) and Nick Caunce (31no). Andrew Davies claimed 6-89.

Sri Lankan Kasun Bodhisha (72) and Derek Sykes (35) then shared a stand of 107 for the third wicket to put Hesketh on course for victory.

However, Caunce (4-24) responded and the game was in the balance at 163-5 off 41.5 overs when rain wrecked the teams’ chances of forcing a result.

Bootle are 30 points clear at the top after their emphatic 139-run win over Southport & Birkdale.

The champions were always in control as they raced to 225-6 declared off just 35.3 overs.

Craig Prince top-scored with 60 and there were also half centuries for Ian Cockbain (50) and Steve Parry (50).

Justin Labuschagne was the pick of the Southport bowlers with 3-62.

Parry then took 3-19 as the visitors were dismissed for 86 in 32.2 overs. Pat Jackson nothched 31.

The bottom three clubs were all defeated.

Rock-bottom St Helens Recs were all out for just 113 at home to Formby as John Dillon top-scored with 27. Steve Dutton did most damage with 5-41.

Formby then eased their relegation fears by completing a six-wicket victory in 40.4 overs. Graeme Morris saw them home with 28 not out, while Gary Freeman took 3-49.

Maghull are still in the drop zone after suffering a 147-run defeat at home to Northern, who scored 223-7 dec off 57.2 overs.

James Cole was the main contributor with 91, while Nick Woods hit 33 and Jack Boardman 30 not out. Suwanji Madanayake claimed 3-66.

Woods (4-32) and Phil Cooper (3-12) then combined to dismiss Maghull for just 76.

Wallasey remain just above the drop zone after losing a thriller at Colwyn Bay by three wickets.

Bay duo Paul Jenkins (5-44) and Debasis Mohanty (3-26) restricted the visitors to 143 all out, but the Wirral outfit produced a gutsy fightback in the field.

Mark Wilkie bagged three wickets and there were two apiece for Chris Bourne and John Murphy as the Welshmen were reduced to 64-7.

However, Mitchell van Wyk (62no) and Jenkins (51no) put on 83 for the eighth wicket to see Bay home.

The other Premier Division clash between mid-table sides Hightown and Prestatyn ended in stalemate.

Anthony Symondson (3-25) and Ian Sutcliffe (3-55) limited Prestatyn to 192-9 in 54.3 overs but in reply Hightown struggled to 74-7 in 31 overs. Gareth Glynne-Jones remained undefeated on 29.