No easy ride for champions Bootle

The appointment of a new captain at Fleetwood Hesketh reversed a losing trend for the Marshside team when their match against title contenders Bootle ended in a thrilling draw.

Gary Wells took over from Neil Rimmer, who stood down from the captaincy after becoming a proud new father, and although the run of no wins from the past five games in the Business Assistance (NW) Liverpool and District Cricket League was not stopped, the closeness of the contest between them and the champions will have boosted their confidence for the remainder of the season.

Bootle won the toss and compiled 217 with Jack Kelliher (43) and Adam Warren (40) making the largest contributions while Mark Prince took 3-41 and Andy Davies 3-81.

Wells led by example in reply making 56 with good support from Jon Bowden (35) and Kasun Bodhisha (33) but they fell agonisingly short at 210 for nine (Stephen Parry 3-63, Oliver Newby 3-64).

Ormskirk were frustrated by Colwyn Bay. Neil Wagner top scored with 90 not out in a home total of 243 for seven declared after winning the toss with Debasis Mohanty taking 3-48. Wagner then returned 5-48 as the Welsh side struggled to 146 for eight, Graham Jones (40) and skipper Paul Jenkins (34 not out) offering the only resistance.

Any team capable of putting together a run of 10 wins out of 12 must surely be considered title material. New Brighton last season amassed 430 points but that was still only good enough to clinch the runners-up spot, five points short of champions Bootle. Such is the quality of Bootle and Ormskirk this season that it might require a total in excess of that to head the roll of honour this time.

New Brighton lost ground in the title race a fortnight ago with defeat at Bootle, but at least, the Wirral club are threatening to make it a three horse race again in the title battle, capitalising on draws by the front runners to inflict a heavy defeat on Northern.

From 41 without loss, the Crosby club crashed to 90 all out after electing to bat – extras top scored on 25 – with Nazim Mohammed taking 5-32. The visitors then wrapped up a seven wicket win through a half century stand for the second wicket between Matthew Thompson (41) and Paul Hale (29). It takes Tim Watkins' men to 303, with leaders Bootle on 332 and Ormskirk, whom New Brighton face next week, on 329.

Only time will tell just how important Liam Crilly’s match winning performance will be in the context of Formby's season, but Crilly certainly made his presence felt with bat and ball in the bottom of the table clash at Wallasey, who suffered a defeat by 40 runs.

What was worse is the Wirral side changed places with Formby, dropping back into the relegation zone in the ECB Premier League. Crilly's heroics began with 65 and, aided by Dave Conlan's 40, allowed the visitors to reach 204 (John Murphy 4-41, Chris Bourne 3-55) after they were inserted.

Crilly, who has been among the wickets lately, then took 6-53 as Wallasey, for whom Zimbabwe Test star Brendan Taylor made his début and hit an unbeaten 82, were dismissed for 164.

St Helens Recs remain rooted to the bottom after going down by six wickets at Lytham. They collapsed from 124 for five 137 all out (Anthony Bullick 41, Craig Woods 40, Jimmy Wisniewski 5-22) and it was never going to be enough as Guy Roberts (46 not out) led the victory charge.

Maghull's batsmen were in fine flow at Prestatyn, where Jonathan Ring's superb 103 not out (17 fours) was the highlight in 292 for five declared (49 overs) after they won the toss.

He put on 150 for the third wicket with captain Niall McDonnell (76), while Suwanji Madanayake hit 44. The Welsh side never looked capable of matching that thanks to the probings of Madanayake (5-88), but they settled for 239 for six (Morne Williams 51, Mario Olivier 50).

Matters at the bottom won't be resolved for several weeks, but St Helens Recs (133 pts) must feel vulnerable, while Wallasey (154), Formby (162) and Maghull (168) are also in the danger zone.

Southport and Birkdale's game with Hightown was abandoned through ground problems following The Open at Birkdale.