NEW Brighton maintained their challenge for the Liverpool Competition Premier Division title with a massive 177 runs victory at Southport and Birkdale.

Martyn Evans led the way with a 117 knock which included 19 fours. David While 54, Andrew Clarke with an unbeaten half century and Upal Fernando 47 not out also batted confidently.

There were three wickets apiece for Evans, While and Ashraf Nawab as the combined side fell well short. The seasiders trail Ormskirk by 19 points at the top of the table.

Wallasey posted a two wickets home victory over Northern. Neil Cross contributed 77 and Chris Bourne 41 whilst the best bowler was Lahiru Wellalege with 4-69.

Birkenhead Park had to settle for a home draw against Leigh who closed sixteen runs behind with three wickets intact.

Best for Park were Chris Davies 70, Mike Barnes 55 and Rob Houghton 40 plus 3-60.

All three local Division Two sides lost. Parkfield Liscard fell by 83 runs at Old Xaverians where Kamran Hussein 48 and Matt Keogh 5-43 did best.

All-rounder Darcy Ward claimed 5-22 and top scored with 38 for Birkenhead in a three wickets reverse in a low scoring affair at home to Spring View.

Caldy (Paul Kearney 38) went down by 114 runs against visiting Skelmersdale.

Neston won but Oxton lost in the Premier Division of the Cheshire County League.

Neston came away 116 runs to the good from Bowdon. Dave Williams included fourteen fours in his 102 and Jack Smith made 45. Paul Stimson returned 5-43 for the winners.

Shaaiq Choudhry contributed 120 and Glen Queri 51 to an Oxton declared total of 226-8 at Toft but it was not enough as the home side eased in by four wickets. Gayan Fernando took 6-106.

Rick Potter undefeated on 68 and Matt Ingram 5-29 helped Upton to a seven wickets success at Congleton in Division Two but Irby lost a high scoring match at Weaverham by three wickets.

Port Sunlight had 76 runs to spare at home to Wilmslow in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance. Best on the day were Wayne Greve 47, Mike Barnes 43 and Dave Scott 3-18.

Old Parkonians lost by three wickets at The Groves where the smartest performances came from Tim Hitchell 100 and Ian Smith 52 not out.

Ellesmere Port lost by six wickets at Holmes Chapel where they totalled 155 after batting first.

Tranmere Vics won by two wickets at Offerton in Division Two. Mike Edwards top scored with 33 and Ben England finished with 4-38.

Eastham & Bromborough in Division Three accounted for Hartford by 54 runs. Russ Williams took 4-44 and Richard Smith 5-50 after top scoring on 33.

Scoreboard:

Liverpool Competition Premier Div: Birkennhead Park 236-8dec, Leigh 220-7; Southport & Birkdale 137, New Brighton 314-4dec; Wallasey 196-8, Northern 192-7dec.

Div Two: Birkenhead St Mary's 83, Spring View 84-7; Caldy 177, Skelmersdale 291-5dec; Old Xaverians 210-7dec, Parkfield Liscard 127.

Cheshire County League Premier Div: Bowdon 135, Neston 251-6dec; Toft 230-6, Oxton 226-8dec. Div Two: Congleton 136, Upton 137-3; Weaverham 234-7, Irby 233-8dec.

Cheshie Alliance Div One: Port Sunlight 178-8dec, Wilmslow 102; The Groves 199-7, Old Parkonians 197-4dec; Holmes Chapel 158-4, Ellesmere Port 155.

Div Two: Offerton 129, Tranmere Vics 133-8. Div.Three:- Eastham & Bromborough 159-8dec, Hartford 105.

Saturday fixtures include: Liverpool Competition Premier Div: Maghull v Wallasey; New Brighton v Bootle; Northern v Birkenhead Park. Div Two: Hightown v Caldy; Parkfield Liscard v Birkenhead St Mary's.

Cheshire County League Premier Div: Neston v Toft; Oxton v Alderley Edge. Div Two: Upton v Alvanley; Irby v Northwich.

Cheshire Alliance Div One: Ellesmere Port v Old Parkonians; Holmes Chapel v Port Sunlight. Div Two: Heaton Mersey Village v Tranmere Vics; Maritime v Offerton. Div Three: Mere v Eastham & Bromborough.

Cheshire League Div Three: Wilmslow Wayfarers v Wirral.