NEW Brighton crushed cross-river rivals Leigh to stay clear at the head of the Liverpool Competition Premier League table.

The seasiders were put in after losing the toss but eased to 225 for the loss of just three wickets. David While top scored with 75 and there were also useful knocks from Khurrum Hussain 57 and Luke Proctor unbeaten on 51.

Leigh always looked second best and were eventually dismissed for 108. Ashraf Nawab claimed 4-19 and there were three-wicket hauls for While and Martyn Evans.

Birkenhead Park fell by seven wickets at home to second-placed Formby. Ian Daniel contributed 41 but an all-out 102 was too little on the day.

Wallasey had to settle for a draw at Lytham who closed fourteen runs behind with one wicket standing. Chris Bourne returned 7-64 for the Wirral outfit and their best bats were Neil Cross 62 and Mark Williams Jr 44.

The three local Division Two sides all lost again. Caldy missed out by six wickets at home to Sutton despite the best efforts of Chris Edwards. He included 14 fours and a six in his unbeaten 102 and also claimed 3-65.

Parkfield Liscard went under by eight wickets at Orrell Red Triangle where Sadrey Depieza top scored on 48.

Sam Black finished with 7-86 for Birkenhead St Mary’s but the margin of defeat at home to Skelmersdale was 44 runs.

Neston just fell short in a thrilling drawn match at home to Grappenhall in the Premier Division of the Cheshire County League. Paul Stimson claimed 4-32 as the visitors posted 228-8.

Neston closed two runs behind with three wickets intact. Simon Stokes included a dozen fours and a brace of sixes in his 101.

Oxton were happy with a five-wicket win at Middlewich in Division One and are fifth in the table.

Upton saw off Widnes by four wickets in Division Two but Irby crashed by 151 runs against visiting Northwich as they were shot out for 75.

Ben Cant was key for Upton with 42 and 3-33.

Tranmere Vics scraped home by one wicket at home to The Groves in Division One of the Cheshire Alliance. Mike Edwards 51 and Mark O’Brian 44 played a big part.

Old Parkonians enjoyed a 21-run success at home to Mellor, taking the last visiting wicket off the penultimate ball.

Ben Rees and Ian Smith each hit 53 for Parks and their successful bowlers were Rob Marnick 4-46 and Adam Westwater 3-13.

Port Sunlight had 70 runs to spare against Winsford in Division Three of the Cheshire League.

There are several local derbies this Saturday including New Brighton at home to Wallasey in the Premier Division of the Liverpool Competition.

Scoreboard:

Liverpool Competition Premier Div: Lytham 160-9, Wallasey 174-8dec; New Brighton 225-3dec, Leigh 108; Birkenhead Park 102, Formby 104-3.

Div Two: Birkenhead St Mary’s 117, Skelmersdale 161-9dec; Caldy 223-6dec, Sutton 225-4; Orrell Red Triangle 167-2, Parkfield Liscard 164.

Cheshire County League Premier Div: Neston 226-7, Grappenhall 228-8dec Div One: Middlewich 167-9dec, Oxton 169-5.

Div Two: Irby 75, Northwich 226-5dec; Upton 154-6, Widnes 153.

Cheshire Alliance Div One: Tranmere Vics 201-9, The Groves 199-5dec.

Div Two: Old Parkonians 177-8dec, Mellor 156.

Cheshire League Div Three: Port Sunlight 164, Winsford 94.

Saturday matches include:

Liverpool Competition Premier Div: Leigh v Birkenhead Park; New Brighton v Wallasey.

Div Two: Alder v Birkenhead St Mary’s; Caldy v Parkfield Liscard.

Cheshire County League Premier Div: Bramhall v Neston.

Div One: Oxton v Cheadle Hulme.

Div Two: Alvanley v Upton; Congleton v Irby.

Cheshire Alliance Div One: Glazeberry v Tranmere Vics.

Div Two: Maritime v Old Parkonians; Styal v Eastham & Bromborough.

Cheshire League Div Three: Wirral v Port Sunlight.