First Division’s top clubs all win in title race

Aug 25 2008 by James Pearce, Liverpool Daily Post

THE battle for the First Division crown is hotting up after the top three all enjoyed emphatic victories on Saturday.

Rainford, six points off top spot, bounced back to form with an eight-wicket win at Ainsdale.

Mark Williams claimed 8-27 as Ainsdale were brushed aside for just 51 in 32.1 overs and Dave Tully’s third-placed side needed just 10 overs to reach their target.

There was another early finish at Leigh, who took over at the top courtesy of their maximum 25-point haul at home to Huyton.

Paul Vallance (4-13) and David Dempster (3-39) helped dismiss Huyton for 69 in 32.4 overs and Leigh then raced to 70-0 off 16.4 overs thanks to Alex Roussak (37no) and Barry Greenwood (31no).

Leigh are one point clear of Northop Hall, who thrashed Orrell RT by eight wickets.

Ata-ur-Rehman was Hall’s hero as he claimed 6-19 to send Orrell crashing to 60 all out and then struck 33 as they reached 61-2.

Wavertree boosted their survival hopes with a five-wicket victory at home to Sefton Park.

Vish Maheshwari (4-33) and Narender Negi (3-28) reduced Sefton to 102 all out and then Negi’s unbeaten 71 helped guide Wavertree to 105-5.

Skelmersdale remain in relegation trouble after losing by five wickets at St Helens.

Opener Jonas Smith struck 55 and Hemal Watekar 37 but from 90-3 Skem collapsed to 150 all out in 54 overs. Adam Friar was the chief destroyer with figures of 7-53.

St Helens were indebted to Rakesh Patel (78no) as they reached 151-5 off 41 overs.

Fourth-placed Newton-le-Willows enjoyed a seven-run win at Wigan.

Replying to Newton’s 136 all out in which Matt Leah took 5-27, Wigan fell agonisingly short as Ian Lyon (3-9) and Mike Walkden (3-27) did the damage.

Rain rescued Liverpool at home to Highfield. The visitors posted 257-6 off 64 overs with Niranjan Behera hitting 104, while Shiv Das claimed 3-57. In reply Liverpool had struggled to 68-5 before the heavens opened.