Liverpool Cricket Competition – career best ton by Alex Smith guides Northop Hall to victory

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION REPORTS JUNE 17

1ST XI SECOND DIVISION

Wavertree (6) 218-10 Northop Hall (25) 219-5

Alex Smith hit a career best 121 not out as Northop Hall stormed to a five-wicket triumph at Wavertree.

Former skipper Smith struck 20 fours and a six in a 167-ball effort which became his third senior ton. His previous century for the first team came back in 2006.

Liverpool side Wavertree won the toss and batted, setting a challenging score of 218 all out, opener Theo O’Brien best with 63.

Ankur Malik picked up 5-88 off 23 and skipper Carwyn Johnson 3-73 for the visitors.

In response, the Hall slipped to 36-2 before Smith and Malik (52) put on 125 for the third wicket.

Johnson added an unbeaten 20 as the away side reached 219-5 in 54.5 to seal a fine win, Smith the hero carrying his bat.

Prestatyn (5) 85-10 Maghull (22) 139-10

Another setback for Prestatyn as they failed by some margin to reach a reasonable match-winning target.

Leaders Maghull chose to bat after calling the coin right and were dismissed for just 139 in 40.4, having been 66-6 at one stage.

The main destroyer for Prestatyn was Shafiqullah Kamal with 6-44, while Sampath Perera snared 2-45.

The home side were then blitzed out for a paltry 85, Greg Coogan the star for Maghull with 8-36 off 18.3 overs.

1ST XI ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

Northern (25) 285-7 dec Colwyn Bay (6) 192-10

Not a day to remember for next-to-bottom Colwyn Bay as they were batted out of the game by a ruthless high-flying Northern.

Skipper James Cole top-scored with 120 as the hosts rattled up 287-5 declared off 45.2 overs after opting for first knock.

Adam Campion took three wickets off 17 overs for the visitors, but they cost him a total of 133 runs.

Being without overseas star Usama Mir certainly did not help the Bay attack.

In reply, the away side dipped to 20-2 before eventually being all out for 192.

A number 11 batsman very rarely tops a team’s batting chart, but spin king Paul Jenkins did just that with a spirited 44 before being run out.

Will Evans cracked 38 off 34 balls, while for Northern, Alex Vincent took 3-27 and Daniel Wilson 3-37.

2ND XI PREMIER DIVISION

Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (25) 84-4 Southport & Birkdale (3) 83-10

There was some pleasing news for Colwyn Bay on Saturday as their seconds comfortably saw off the challenge of Southport and Birkdale.

Captain Tom Clarke snapped up a marvellous 5-9 off seven and Ryan Holtby claimed 5-37 as the visitors were sent packing for only 83 after choosing to bat.

Third-place Bay then eased to 84-4 in just 17.2, Shaun Davies (39) and Dan Russell (25) putting on 63 for the first wicket. Points: 25-3.

2ND XI FIRST DIVISION

Northop Hall 2nd XI (4) 83-10 Highfield 2nd XI (25) 222-6 dec

James Taylor struck 85 and Craig Aspey 56 as Highfield built a match-clinching score of 222-6 declared from just 35 overs, Gareth Fox 2-57 and Ben Arden 2-65 for the hosts.

The Hall were then blasted out for just 83, captain Jack Smallwood a commanding and stand-out 57 not out providing some enjoyment for the home supporters.

2ND XI SECOND DIVISION

Parkfield Liscard 2nd XI (25) 223-4 dec Prestatyn 2nd XI (4) 100-9

Grant Hughes (92) and Gary Ratcliff (88 no) guided Parkfield to a massive total at Pembertons Meadow.

Prestatyn seconds could only manage 100-9 in reply, Lucas Sheridan 31 and Isaac Sheridan 30.

NOTE: Prestatyn are down as losing just nine of their wickets. We thought it would be recorded as a draw, but the league website cites Parkfield as the winners by 123 runs.