Cricket

Double victory for Colwyn Bay and Northop Hall make it seven wins in row in Liverpool Comp

Matthew Jones finished 57 not out for Northop Hall 1st XI in their win over St Helens Town. Picture: GARETH PRESTIDGE – many thanks

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT COMPETITION REPORTS – SATURDAY, JUNE 21

1ST XI ECB PREMIER LEAGUE

Colwyn Bay 1st XI (20) 183-8 Leigh 1st XI (7) 179-6 dec

After five straight losses Colwyn Bay picked up their first win since the opening day of their return to the Premier Division.

While Bay made hard work of eventually overcoming fifth-place Leigh, the North Wales side did get the job done, and while still bottom of the top division they are not quite as stranded as they were seven days earlier.

Winning the toss and putting their opponents in, Bay restricted the Lancastrians to 179-6 declared off 40 overs, Jack Parry taking 3-80 from 20, Tom Clarke, Charlie Collins and Matt Russell grabbing a wicket apiece.

In reply, the home team’s opening partnership of Zack Gidlow (61) and Dan Russell (52) put on 115, but after looking virtually assured of victory on 143-1, the hosts slumped to 176-8.

However, ninth-wicket pair Parry, who hit a six, and Shay Williams got Bay to a winning 183-8 off 44.3, Patrick Allan pocketing 5-82 for the visitors.

1ST XI SECOND DIVISION

Northop Hall 1st XI (25) 125-2 St Helens Town (2) 124-10

Andrew Watkin batting for Northop Hall. Picture: GARETH PRESTIDGE

Paul Jenkins moved up to 36 league wickets for the season with a stunning 6-54 as Northop Hall made it seven straight completed match wins in a row.

Visitors St Helens Town won the toss and batted, but were soon in deep trouble as lethal bowling from Jenkins and Carwyn Johnson had them 62-6.

Saints did partially recover to set 124, Johnson finishing with 3-41.

In reply, Hall eased to 125-2 off 26.1, Matthew Jones (57 not out) and skipper Ben Slater (31 no) seeing them home with an unbroken third-wicket stand of 56.

Prestatyn 1st XI (3) 173-10 Norley Hall 1st XI (20) 175-1

Another heavy defeat for Prestatyn, who were 92-8 at one stage before recovering to post a more respectable 173 all out.

Benjamin Hughes top-scored with 51, while number 10 Nauman Ahmad finished 46 not out, that pair putting on 79 for the ninth wicket.

Norley Hall breezed to 175-1 off 33.5 to claim a 20-3 points, nine-wicket victory.

2ND XI FIRST DIVISION

New Brighton 2nd XI (20) 209-2 dec Northop Hall 2nd XI (0) 130-10

Bad day at the office for Hall seconds, whose opponents New Brighton seconds rattled up an imposing 209-2 declared off 30 overs, then bowled out the Welsh side for 130, Michael Williamson a defiant 50.

Old Xaverians 2nd XI (5) 70-10 Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (22) 107-10

Unbeaten Bay seconds are 54 points clear at the summit after maintaining their full house of victories from eight completed games.

The visitors were asked to bat and found themselves bowled out for just 107, skipper Tom Roberts the saviour with 64 not out.

However, Bay then removed Old Xavs for just 70, Samuel Castley grabbing a scintillating 6-24 off 11.3 overs. If ever there was a case for a Joint Man of the Match award!