Liverpool Cricket Comp: North Wales teams do region proud with three wins, a draw and two narrow losses

LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION

1ST XI FIRST DIVISION

Colwyn Bay 1st XI (25) 217-4 Birkenhead Park 1st XI (6) 213-10

An opening partnership of 121 between Zack Gidlow and Shashika Dulshan put Colwyn Bay nicely on course for a six-wicket win at Penrhyn Avenue.

Visitors Birkenhead Park won the toss and batted, Bay bowling them out for 213 off 52.2, Tom Clarke producing a fine return of 5-74, Matt Russell an impressive 2-26 off 10.

In reply, Gidlow (76) and Dulshan (44) laid the victory foundations with that first-wicket century stand.

The good work was continued by skipper George Johansen (34), while Matthew Thompson and Will Higginson both made 26, the latter not out as the hosts reached 217-4 off 38.4 overs.

Points: 25-6 to Bay

New Brighton 1st XI (6) 247-5 dec Northop Hall 1st XI (5) 169-4 – drawn

Opener Connor Windell dominated this game with a huge score of 143 as hosts New Brighton got the better of a drawn encounter.

Windell hit 17 fours and three sixes in his effort which did much to help the home side set 247-5 declared off 62.4 overs. Carwyn Johnson claimed 2-30 for the visitors.

Northop Hall’s response ended on 169-4 off 49.5 overs, Christian Jardine leading the way with 85 not out.

Points: New Brighton 6 Northop Hall 5.

1ST XI SECOND DIVISION

Prestatyn 1st XI (25) 143-9 Whitefield (Roby) 1st XI (6) 142-10

Benjamin Hughes bagged second-best career figures of 6-28 as Prestatyn scraped home by a single wicket at Beach Close.

Hughes, whose finest performance remains a 6-15 haul in a Flintshire Knockout victory over Buckley in 2023, recorded his top return in the Liverpool Comp on Saturday, ensuring visitors Whitefield were bowled out for 142 after winning the toss and batting.

Liam Crilly’s 71 not out saved the travellers from a much lower score. Kieran New pocketed 2-37 off 11 overs for the hosts.

In reply, Prestatyn looked to be coasting on 99-2, but then a succession of losses left New and skipper Adam Tidswell needing to guide them to 143-9 from 46.

Ryan Westwell top-scored with 46, while Daniel Williams added 34.

2ND XI PREMIER DIVISION

Birkenhead Park 2nd XI (25) 189-10 Colwyn Bay 2nd XI (10) 177-10

From looking beaten on 104-8 chasing 190 for victory, Bay seconds produced a late rally, but could not quite get the runs needed to prevail at Birkenhead.

Winning the toss and electing to bat, Park were all out for 189, opener Mason Cockcroft a patient 60 not out, Sam Roberts taking 3-25 and Shay Williams 3-63 for the visitors.

Bay’s number nine Thomas Omelia nearly led his side to the winning post with an unbeaten 46, while Zane Roy and Jaiveer Tomar added 32 and 30 respectively, but the North Walians lost their last wicket on 177.

2ND XI SECOND DIVISION

Northop Hall 2nd XI (25) 201-2 Parkfield Liscard 2nd XI (6) 195-6 dec

Leaders Northop Hall 2nds have a 37-point lead at the summit after another great batting display at Smithy Lane.

Visitors Parkfield called the coin correctly and batted, setting a decent total of 195-6 declared off 55.4 overs, Matthew Edwards scooping a brilliant 3-20 off 14 for the hosts.

Hall openers Owen Skillander (93 not out – 15 fours) and Michael Williamson (64) put the team well on their way to the win with a stand of 143.

Skillander was still there at the end as the Flintshire outfit eased to 201-2 off a ridiculous 25.2 overs.

Whitefield (Roby) 2nd XI (25) 165-8 Prestatyn 2nd XI (8) 161-10

Navneet Kaimal’s heroic 94 was not quite enough to deliver Prestatyn seconds victory at Court Hey Park.

Kaimal’s career-best score dominated Prestatyn’s effort of 161 all out off 29.4 overs and Whitefield were made to battle their way to a winning 165-8 off 30.3.

Kaimal pouched 2-37, Jack Cheetham 2-39 and Ashley Jones 2-40, but the hosts just about reached their target.