Liverpool Competition: Northop Hall ace Ankur Malik destroys Prestatyn, Bay lose to Formby

LIVERPOOL CRICKET COMPETITION

1ST XI SECOND DIVISION

Northop Hall (24) 213-9 dec Prestatyn (5) 114-10

Indian all-rounder Ankur Malik produced a scintillating show with bat and ball which completely dominated his team Northop Hall’s derby victory over Prestatyn.

The 19-year-old right-hand bat and leg-break bowler, who represents North East Zone and Sikkim back at home, proved what a difference he can make to a Hall side who have found winning ways after recording nothing in the W column in their first five games.

In his five matches to date, Malik has taken 25 wickets and scored 308 runs at an average of 61.60.

The Hall are still relatively low in the table, down in eighth compared to Prestatyn in fourth, but the Flintshire side are now starting to shine.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Northop Hall posted 213-9 declared off 55 overs.

Malik struck 15 fours in his 94, while Michael Williamson made 46 and Ben Slater 32.

Prestatyn’s own overseas star Sampath Perera recorded his best bowling figures this season of 6-49, moving him up to 32 league wickets in 2023.

Hall skipper Carwyn Johnson took three early wickets when the visitors replied, including prized scalp Perera, lbw for a duck.

Malik then took over and caused havoc, notching 7-46 off 15.2 overs as Prestatyn slumped to just 114 all out.

Johnson snapped up 3-33, while for the hosts, Gareth Leonard top-scored with 46.

Without a doubt, the best day of the season so far for Northop Hall and their Indian wonder Malik.

1ST XI ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

Colwyn Bay (7) 223-5 dec Formby (20) 225-4

Opener Ian Cockbain jnr ruined Colwyn Bay’s victory dreams with an inspiring 123 not out to lead Formby to a six-wicket win at Penrhyn Avenue.

The former Gloucestershire player proved the major difference between the teams in a high-scoring battle at Rhos-on-Sea.

Put into bat, Bay chalked up a decent total of 223-5 off 53.5 overs, Zack Gidlow leading the scoring with 67, Adam Campion hitting 48 and Sion Morris 42.

Gidlow and Morris put on 108 for the second wicket.

Cockbain jnr, who joined the Merseysiders this season, then struck 14 fours and three sixes in his 135-ball knock as Formby made it to 225-4 off 43.4, Paul Jenkins claiming 2-91 for the home side, who lost 20-7 on points.

2ND XI PREMIER DIVISION

Northern 2nd XI (7) 139-7 Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (8) 208-8 dec

Matt Russell scored a career best 101 – just two days after his 20th birthday – but Bay seconds had to settle for a winning draw at Northern seconds.

Russell, who recorded his maiden ton – scoring 100 exactly – in April, helped his side set 208-8 declared in 43 overs after they chose to bat.

Opener Dan Russell made 37 before Matt went on to concoct a fine ton off 92 balls, which included 13 fours and four sixes, also sharing a second-wicket stand of 70 alongside Shaun Davies (21).

Shay Williams then scooped 3-28, but Bay could not bowl out their hosts, who held on at 139-7 to ensure the draw.

2ND XI FIRST DIVISION

Wavertree 2nd XI (25) 67-0 Northop Hall 2nd XI (0) 65-10

Matteo Evans-Ford did best with 23 as Northop Hall seconds were rolled over for just 65 by Wavertree seconds, who went on to make 67 without loss in 7.3 overs.

2ND XI SECOND DIVISION

Prestatyn 2nd XI (3) 123-10 Hightown St Mary’s (25) 126-3

Veteran Steven Giblin, who returned to action this season after a 13-year absence from Prestatyn cricket, top-scored with 51 not out as the seconds mustered 123 all out against Hightown at Beach Close.

Navneet Kaimal added 31 for the hosts, who chose to bat and whose innings lasted just 24.1 overs.

The visitors comfortably reached 126-3 in 34 overs for a 25-3 points, seven-wicket success, Kaimal 2-50.