AN inspired knock by Neil Cross helped New Brighton to a five wickets home victory over Southport and Birkdale in the Premier Division of the Bridging Finance Solutions Liverpool Competition.

Neil made an undefeated 121 including seventeen fours and two sixes and enjoyed a 153 fourth wicket partnership with John While who contributed 64. Martyn Evans with 4-57 helped restrict the combined side to a 214-8 declared total. The seasiders replied with 218-5.

Wallasey won again in Division One, this time by 79 runs away to Rainhill.

Chris Bourne, Matty Hughes and Liam Crilly each claimed three wickets to help dismiss Rainhill for 141 after Wallasey posted 220-9 of which Michael Currey contributed 77, Daniel Beaver 45 and Crilly 43.

The Birkenhead Park v Parkfield Liscard local derby in Division Two finished in a draw.

Haroon Khan was run out one short of a half century for Park and Craig Reid was unbeaten on 48.

They declared on 177-5 and the visitors closed on 106-7.

Caldy 110 all out went under by six wickets at home to Prestatyn whilst Birkenhead St Mary's drew at Old Xaverians where they finished 94 runs adrift with three wickets intact.

Zahin Mohammed took 3-53 for the Saints.

Oxton were pleased the rain came as they drew at home to Urmston in the Premier Division of the Chapel Press Cheshire County League.

They were on 71-7 after the visitors set a 193 target. Andrew Birley finished with 5-66 for Oxton and Gayan Fernando 4-76.

There was also a draw for Irby at home to Heaton Mersey who closed 47 runs behind with seven wickets down.

Dave Newman struck 77 for Irby and Ray Houghton and Alex Cummings took three wickets each.

Upton in Division two lost by seven wickets at Timperley where they totalled 103.

Nick Hitchell, 69, Dave Fletcher unbeaten on 44 and Mike Hitchell 42 batted well for Parkonians at home to Rylands in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance. Parks were all out for 221 and Rylands reached 40-1 when the rain took over.

Tranmere Vics in Division Three accounted for Haslington II by 143 runs.

Rich Baker took 5-13 as the visitors were shot out for 48. Vics had been in trouble earlier on 89-7 but then number nine bat Eddie Briers took over and hit 71, enjoying a 102 partnership with number eight John Bennett 27 not out.

Port Sunlight came away 81 runs to the good from Kerridge. Wayne Greve 85 and Martin Naylor 5-31 figured prominently.

In Meller Braggins Division Three Wirral 160 lost by 42 runs at Barrow.

Scoreboard:-

Liverpool Competition Premier Div:- New Brighton 218-5, Southport & Birkdale 214-8dec. Div.One:- Rainhill 141, Wallasey 220-9dec.

Div.Two:- Birkenhead Park 177-5dec, Parkfield Liscard 106-7; Caldy 110, Prestatyn 111-4; Old Xaverians 159-7dec, Birkenhead St Mary's 65-7.

Cheshire County League Premier Div:- Oxton 71-7, Urmston 192-9dec. Div.One:- Irby 202-9dec, Heaton Mersey 155-7. Div.Two:- Timperley 107-3, Upton 103.

Cheshire Alliance Div.One:- Parkonians 221, Rylands 40-1. Div.Three:- Tranmere Vics 191-8dec, Haslington II 48; Kerridge 111, Port Sunlight 192-6dec.

Cheshire League Div.Three:- Barrow 202-6dec, Wirral 160.

Fixtures for Saturday:-

Liverpool Competition Premier Div:- Rainford v New Brighton. Div.One:- Wallasey v Liverpool, Div.Two:- Birkenhead St Mary’s v Caldy; Burscough v Birkenhead Park; Parkfield Liscard v Old Xaverians.

Cheshire County League Premier Div:- Neston v Widnes; Oxton v Toft. Div.One:- Irby v Bollington. Div.Two:- Stockport Georgians v Upton.

Cheshire Alliance Div.One:- Parkonians v Stalybridge St Pauls. Div.Three:- Sandbach II v Eastham Bromborough; Tranmere Vics v Port Sunlight.

Cheshire League Div.Three:- CH Ladybridge v Wirral.