Hall or Nothing: Mixed fortunes for North Wales sides on Liverpool Cricket Competition opening weekend

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION REPORTS APRIL 25

1st XI First Division

Spring View 1st XI (5) 144-10 Northop Hall 1st XI (25) 226-6 dec

Northop Hall marked their return to Division One in style with a maximum points victory at Dower House Farm.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat, the Flintshire side posted 226-6 declared off 55 overs, opener Jac Kennedy leading the way with a fine 92, sharing in a first-wicket stand of 111 with Andrew Watkin (36).
Finley Jenkins also made a handy 41 not out off 37 balls, James Critchley View’s most successful bowler with 4-47.
In reply, the hosts were dismissed for 144, the prolific Paul Jenkins best with 4-75, James Hurlin 3-12 off six and Carwyn Johnson 2-32, Max Bittner a defiant 65 not out for SV.

Highfield 1st XI (25) 264-9 dec Colwyn Bay 1st XI (5) 101-10

Bay began the season in disappointing fashion with a batting display best forgotten at Highfield.
Calling the coin correctly and opting to bat, the hosts amassed 264-9 declared off 55 thanks to a series of good contributions.
For the Bay, Matt Russell took 4-85, new signing Shashika Dulshan 3-93 off 24 and paceman Jack Parry 2-49.
Despite a spirited 60 from captain George Johansen, the visitors were blown away for just 101, Thobile Hlatuka 5-26 for the home side, who triumphed by 163 runs.

1st XI Second Division

Southport Trinity 1st XI (24) 181-8 Prestatyn XI (7) 180-9 dec

Narrow defeat for Prestatyn despite showing plenty of promise with bat and ball.
With some welcome returnees to the club on call, the North Walians won the toss and chose to bat, setting 180-9 declared off 55 overs.
Kieron Tidswell top-scored with 41, number eight Benjamin Hughes adding 32.
In response, Trinity nosedived from 135-3 to 142-8, but ninth-wicket pair Michael Roberti (28 not out) and Sean Cragg (14 no) saw them to 181 without further loss off 48.3.
Kieron New, back at Beach Close after a spell with Bootle, was Prestatyn’s top performer with 4-48 off 16.

2nd XI Premier Division

Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (5) 134-10 Wallasey 2nd XI (25) 201-5 dec.

No joy for Bay as visitors Wallasey chalked up 201-5 declared off 45 overs, Martin Williams 76 not out, Jaiveer Tomar 2-39 for the hosts, who were sent packing for 134, Tomar 43, Elliot Griffiths 5-16 for the Wirral victors.

2nd XI Second Division

Northop Hall 2nd XI (25) 85-1 Caldy 2nd XI (1) 84-10

Liam Evans-Ford claimed 3-24, Matthew Edwards 3-27 and Robbie Edwards 2-14 as Northop Hall rolled visitors Caldy over for just 84, then replied with a winning 85-1 off 27.1, Owen Skillander 37 not out and Michael Williamson 32 no.

Prestatyn 2nd XI (3) 83-10 Fleetwood Hesketh 2nd XI (25) 84-4

Hosts Prestatyn decided to bat and were blitzed out for just 83, Naijo Varghese 5-21 for the visitors, who hit back with 84-4, Ashley Jones 3-38 for the home side.