Liverpool Competition: Perera strikes superb maiden ton as Prestatyn march on at top of the second division
LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION
1ST XI SECOND DIVISION
Prestatyn (24) 211-10
Alder (5) 96-10
On-fire Sampath Perera hit a career best 144 and added another four wickets to his growing collection as Prestatyn made it four straight wins at the expense of Liverpool-based visitors Alder on Saturday.
The Sri Lankan all-rounder recorded a maiden ton to boost his batting average this season to 126.00 and made it 18 league victims with the ball.
Put into bat at Beach Close, Prestatyn slumped to 66-5, but the picture changed after Perera was joined by captain Andy Taylor at the crease.
Taylor made 29 while at the other end Perera let loose, the pair putting on 104 for the sixth wicket.
Perera was eventually ninth out for 144 as the home total ended on 211 in the 51st over.
The overseas star, who had previously made 15 half-centuries for the North Wales club but no tons, faced 129 deliveries and struck 18 fours plus three sixes.
Oliver Sharp took 4-23 and Greg Harvey 3-61 for the Merseyside team.
Alder were bowled out for just 96 in reply, Shafiqullah Kamal taking 4-32 and Perera 4-33 to wrap up a 24-5 points triumph which keeps Prestatyn top of the table.
Perera’s league record in 2023 so far reads:
Batting: 4 innings 252 runs average 126
Bowling: 5-12; 5-7; 4-18; 4-33 – 18 wickets for 70 runs (average 3.88)
Hightown St Mary’s (25) 227-10
Northop Hall (8) 165-10
Indian leg-spinner Ankur Malik produced a cracking debut comprising five-wickets and a half-century for Northop Hall, but his new side still ended up second best at Hightown St Mary’s.
Malik, aged 19, from Sikkim, north east India, who has a first-class century to his name, only landed in the UK during the week, but took no time in showing what he can do.
Hightown were put in and were all out for 227 off 50.1 overs, Pakistani Sharoon Siraj leading the way with 126.
Malik took 5-57 from 17.1 overs, including eventually the prized scalp of Siraj, while skipper Carwyn Johnson picked up 2-83.
Number three Malik then hit 78 off 83 balls, with 11 fours and three sixes, while Johnson added 26, but the Hall finished well short of their opponents’ score on 165 all out.
Matthew White claimed an impressive 5-22 for the hosts, who prevailed 25-8 on points.
1ST XI ECB PREMIER LEAGUE
Wigan (20) 178-7
Colwyn Bay (5) 174-9 dec
Despite a magnificent effort from all-rounder Adam Campion, Colwyn Bay were beaten at Wigan and are now bottom of the Premier while still seeking a first win of the campaign.
Bay were put in and Campion dominated with 95 as the visitors dragged their way to 174-9 declared off 61 overs, Vinay Choudhary 4-58 for the hosts.
Charles Taylor (78) and Adnan Miakhel (57) then put on 82 as the Greater Manchester team reached 178-7 in 37, Campion an excellent 5-62.
2ND XI PREMIER DIVISION
Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (5) 70-3
Birkenhead Park 2nd XI (5) 120-10
No decision – rain.
Shay Williams took an heroic 6-12 for Bay seconds, who bowled out Park for 120, but at 70-3 in reply the home side were left disappointed as the weather caused a permanent intervention, Shaun Davies 40 no.
2ND XI FIRST DIVISION
Northop Hall 2nd XI (3) 34-10
Wigan 2nd XI (25) 175-6 dec
David Mellor scooped 4-39 and Harri Sigsworth 2-22 for Hall seconds as Wigan seconds declared on 175-6, but the hosts were then blown away for a paltry 34, Nathan Barnes 5-12.