LOCAL CRICKET REPORT by Andrew Stratton

CALDY stretched their advantage at the top of the Bromborough Paints Merseyside Competition with an easy derby success at Port Sunlight.

The margin was 103 runs. Dave Aston top scored with 42 and Richard Battersby, with 4-19, and Stu Royden, 4-30, were the successful bowlers.

Irby went under by seven wickets at Ainsdale, while Parkonians drew at Runcorn, Matthew Hutchinson contributing 43.

Division Two leaders Birkenhead St Mary's were held to a draw by Rainhill and now lead Parkfield by seven points. John Ford top scored with 74 for Birkenhead.

Parkfield had five wickets to spare at Wrexham. Chris Jones, 5-45, and Rich Cotton, 5-50, bowled through the Wrexham innings.

Eastham Bromborough fell by eight wickets at home to Xaverians and Wirral Mersey Park by 15 runs at home to Whitefield. There was also no joy for Tranmere Vics - they lost by 94 runs at Buckley.

Scores:-

Division One: Ainsdale 143-3, Irby 142-9 declared; Port Sunlight 68, Caldy 171-5 declared; Runcorn 150-7, Parkonians 164-8 declared.

Division Two: Birkenhead St Mary's 192-9 declared, Rainhill 150-7; Buckley 163-3 declared, Tranmere Vics 69; Eastham Bromborough 97, Xaverians 98-2; Wirral Mersey Park 110, Whitefield 125; Wrexham 101, Parkfield 105-5.

Saturday fixtures include:-

Division One: Caldy v Prescot & Odyssey; Cheshire Lines v Port Sunlight; Irby v St Asaph; Sutton v Parkonians.

Division Two: Birkenhead St Mary's v Wrexham; Mossley Hill v Wirral Mersey Park; Parkfield v Manweb; Tranmere Vics v Rainhill; Whitefield v Eastham Bromborough.

Caldy completed a successful weekend on Sunday when they reached the last 16 of the Village National Knock-out Cup with an easy win over Oakmere. The visitors were restricted to 107-9, Keith Findlay taking 4-24. Caldy replied with 109-2 and had 19 overs to spare. Brett Saunders hit 72.

Merseyside lost interest in the President's Trophy at the second round stage. They lost by 18 runs against North West Counties League. Merseyside were all out 185 chasing the home side's 203-5 total.

Caldy this Sunday are at home to Eastham Bromborough in a delayed Kaufman Trophy second round clash.

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