The Liverpool Competition reached the final of the Northern Rock League Cricket Conference President's Trophy for the third successive year after defeating the Derbyshire County League by 40 runs at Alvaston and Boulton CC, Derby.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, the Competition lost half of their side for 97 with opener Craig Prince making 46. A sixth wicket stand between Liam Crilly (27) and Martyn Evans added 43 and an unbroken one of 43 between Evans (45*) and Ronnie Davis (22*) gave a final total of 194-7 from 45 overs. For Derby, Steve Attenborough, who had taken three of the first four wickets to fall, ended with 3-38 from his 10 overs.
The Derby openers moved quickly on to 48 and looked secure before Matt Lineker was run out by a direct throw for 23. Neil Sparham looked to be in good form, but he, too, was run out when he was called for a dodgy run. These two run outs proved crucial because the initiative was lost and the innings drifted to defeat, 40 runs short, with opener Charlie Ault still there on 57*. For Liverpool, Maghull's Liam Crilly took 4-35 and Colwyn Bay's Gareth Edwards 2-13 from 8 overs. scorecard
In the other semi final, the West of England Premier League lost to the Derbyshire Premier League by nine wickets.
The West of England batted first and scored 152-9 in their 45 overs, Joe Carter scoring 41* and for Derbyshire, Matt Cassar took 4-29 and Rob Green 3-29. Derbyshire hit the required runs in 21.5 overs with David Smit scoring 58 and Matt Cassar 80*.
The Derbyshire Premier League now hosts the Liverpool Competition in the final at Sandiacre Town CC on Sunday 5th September 2004, the details of which are to be announced.
