Date: 29th Mar 2024
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LL L&DCC 2ND XI ROUND UP - Week 18 (21 August)

Date: 27th August 2021

Wallasey close in on Title, Congratulations to Trinity on promotion

SECOND XI Round up – Week 18 (21st August)

Just two games survived to produce a definite result in Saturday’s Premier Division and both were won by teams battling to avoid the dreaded drop. Lytham had a comprehensive victory in the bottom of the table clash with Firwood Bootle. Macauley top scored with 49 as he was one of five players to pass 20 enabling his side to declare on 216. Bootle lost two early wickets and although Pierce (33) and Gallimore tried to stage a recovery, Pierce’s dismissal brought an inevitable early conclusion to the contest. Chris Cartmell taking 5/43 for the victors. New Brighton closed the gap on teams above them thanks to contributions from London, Gamage and Lees who all reached 40 as they recorded a four wicket victory over Southport & Birkdale. Mark Fletcher with 61 and Aston 48 had given S&B a near 100 run opening partnership before the loss of several wickets slowed the impetus allowing them to reach 178.

Sefton Park again beat the elements (or at least ignored them) as they just failed to overhaul Northern’s sporting declaration of 150 made up of Kavanagh with 49 and 36* from Banerjee. Sefton’s reply came mainly from Scott Aitchison with 85 who was dismissed with victory in sight but time running out but Spilsbury added to his growing reputation (at least around the club) with 44. On the Sunday. Wallasey virtually ensured they took the title with victory over second placed Orrell RT. Four Orrell players reached double figures without going on to reach 18 as Matty Hughes took four for 19. The reply was not without early worries but despite losing two wickets in single figures, Graham with 27 saw the points difference at the top of the table increase to 85 points with just six points needed to retain the title they won in 2019.

Standings  1 – Wallasey 357 pts (from 19 games), 2 – Orrell Rt 272 (also 19) 3 – Formby 237 (from 17)

The promotion hopes of Birkenhead Park from Division One received a small boost when their scheduled final day fixture against Old Xaverians was brought forward due to ground availability issues at SFX as per usual. Promoting Sha Miah from the 3rd XI for only his second game was a game changer as he took an amazing 7/27 (his second seven wicket haul after collecting that number in a recent 3rd xi game) in Xavs meagre 60 in an eight wicket cruise. Overnight leaders Colwyn Bay suffered defeat as Wigan returned home with the victory points. Again three Colwyn Bay players scored well with Russell’s 44 aided by Bright and Moorhouse but Harry Jackman’s 5/78 his second 5 wicket return of the campaign, was important. Patrick Fairhurst with an unbeaten 55 was the mainstay of the Wigan reply but four other players all played their part reaching 20 or more.

Highfield closed the gap on next to bottom Ainsdale getting the better of their rivals by 21 runs in an entertaining game. Craig Aspey reached 50 and then being caught enabled other contributions led by Martinus of 20 or more before Highfield were dismissed for 172. Five wickets (for 40), his maiden five wicket haul from Daniel Fitzpatrick keeping Ainsdale interested. After top scorer Wainwright was caught for 48, the Ainsdale chase rather petered out with the last five wickets falling for just 20 as Matthew Wallace wrapped up the tail with his own maiden five wicket haul at this level (for 28 runs conceded). Both clubs are still hopeful of overhauling teams above them but the 26 point gap between 8th place Wavertree and Highfield is now more catchable. The weather thwarted Old Xaverians on Saturday as they had visitors Northop Hall reeling at 36/5 before the rain ended the affair.

Standings 1 – Birkenhead Park 285 Pts (from 19 games), 2 – Colwyn Bay 282 (from 18) 3 – Leigh 250 (from 18).

In Division Two, congratulations to Southport Trinity whose victory in the only game to survive, confirmed their promotion into Division One. The damage was done early on as Maghull’s top order were all out for single figures thanks to Campbell’s opening burst who went on to collect four wickets as did Francis. Maghull; then defended solidly with their innings consuming 54 overs in reaching 123. Malone with 36. Francis then flourished with the bat adding 54 (his sixth fifty this year) as he passed 500 runs for the season. His colleagues then all chipped in with a consistent 12 – 14 as they reached double figures in a six wicket win before the celebrations began.

Standing 1 – Fleetwood Hesketh 317 pts – 2 – Southport Trinity 295, 3 – Maghull 214 pts (with just three to play).

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