Ormskirk's win puts them in sight

As rain washed out any hope of play in Bootle's match with Formby at Wadham Road, Ormskirk took advantage of the situation and secured 24 points leaving them needing a further seven at Wallasey next week to secure the Business Assistance Liverpool and District Premier League title.

After being inserted by Lytham, Ormskirk declared after 39.5 overs with 191 for eight on the board. Matty Glayzer top scored with 47 and Ian Robinson made 32 while Mike Rigby took 4-65. John Armstrong was lbw for eight and needs 73 runs at Wallasey to become the first Ormskirk player to hit 1000 in a season since T Ainscough in 1899.

In reply, Lytham had no answer to Nick Caunce (5-16) and Simon Kerrigan (4-26) as they were bundled out for 54 (29.3 overs).

Over at Trafalgar Road, Maghull, who are fighting relegation, made the mistake of putting Southport and Birkdale in to bat in a match that eventually started at 1:51pm. Just two batsmen reached double figures in an innings of 151 for eight declared that lasted 55.5 overs. Skipper Mark Fletcher (49) and Patrick Jackson (65) added 102 for the third wicket.

This left Maghull with just 18 overs and they ended on 116 for seven, Suwanji Madanayake (38) and Andy Hewitt (32) adding 64 for the second wicket. Jackson finished with 4-34.

The other five matches between Bootle and Formby, Colwyn Bay and Hightown, Fleetwood Hesketh and Prestatyn, New Brighton and St Helens Recs and Northern and Wallasey were all abandoned without a ball being bowled.