First Division - Colwyn Bay keep in touch with top two
Monday 30th August 2004

Colwyn Bay recovered from their setback at Fleetwood Hesketh on Saturday to comfortably beat Caldy and keep alive their hopes of ECB Premier League cricket next season.

Dave Wallace (76) and Sion Morris (56) opened with a stand of 120 on the way to 252-3d off 46 overs. Charlie Clubb, who made 86, shared in half century stands with both Wallace and Andy Puddle. Dave Aston responded with 44 and Andy Roberts 26, but Paul Jenkins' 5-26 and Francois van der Merwe's 4-40 dismissed the Wirral side for 125.

Hightown maintained their lead in the First Division with success in a low scoring game against neighbours Formby. Mark O'Connor (5-45) and James Beckingham (4-44) gave Formby a scent of victory as the leaders succumbed for just 97 after winning the toss (Evon McInnis 31).

After tea, the home bowlers, led by McInnis (6-25), destroyed the visitors for 75 with Adam Phillips top scoring on 34. McInnis now needs two wickets to complete his hundred for the season.

Bhautik Shukla starred with a five wicket haul to send Liverpool to defeat at Aigburth. He completed a successful weekend by taking 5-38 as Liverpool only managed 132 from 43.1 overs in reply to Fleetwood Hesketh's 174-8d after 61 overs, David Bernard (46), Gary Wells (36) and Geoff Blackburn (5-48).

St Helens Recs took maximum points away from Windleshaw Road. After a 1:00 pm, St Helens only managed 113 from 43.2 overs against the bowling of Mark Orchard (5-28). Recs didn't have it all their own in reply as they lost eight wickets on the way to 114, Orchard completing a fine afternoon by top scoring with 68*, Sanjay Pandey taking 5-44.

Newton le Willows came away from Worsley with a four wicket win after bowling out the home side for 106 after 53.1 overs, Danny Barlow taking 4-27 and Ikram-ul-Haq Malik 4-30. Newton needed 42 of their 59 overs to reach their target for the loss of six wickets, Steven Appleton being 39* and SS Das 28. Richard Sims took 4-30 for Worsley.

The matches Highfield v Orrell Red Triangle and Wigan v Haydock were abandoned without a ball being bowled.

With four matches remaining, Haydock have the possibility of being the first team since Hightown in 1988 to complete a season without a win. Although there is a mathematical chance of them surviving in the First Division, realistically, it looks as if they are facing Merseyside and Southport Alliance cricket next season after only three seasons in the Liverpool Competition.