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First Division - Formby top after two run win over Saints
Saturday 16th July 2005

Leadership of the First Division seems to be changing by the week. Colwyn Bay and St Helens Recs have led the field in recent weeks, but now it is the turn of Formby, having enjoyed a thrilling two run win over St Helens.

St Helens were in a good position at 208-6 against Formby, who had made 222-8d (53 overs) but Mark O'Connor and Sam Hinton hit back superbly. Sanjay (64) and Darren Tyms (52) added 71 for the sixth wicket as St Helens got desperately close, but O'Connor's last wicket lbw dismissal of Sanjay Pandey might prove his most valuable wicket of the season as he finished with 4-76, Hinton (3-14) and the Saints 220 all out after 48.1 overs.

Captain Graeme Morris (48) and Darren Barton (43) had given Formby the impetus for the declaration with 105 for the fourth wicket. Sanjay finished with 3-32.

Maghull, who entertain the new leaders next week, have bounced back into contention. They comfortably disposed of Southport and Birkdale, whose 127 from 46 overs after winning the toss (Ian Cropper 27, Mark Baker 23, Liam Crilly 5-51, Kiran Powar 5-34) was never going to be enough. Powar (40*) and Crilly (36) guided Maghull to a six wicket win at 128-4 after 30.1 overs. 

It was St Helens Recs who were the biggest losers on the day, falling from top spot to fifth after a hiding from Newton le Willows. Such is the closeness of the promotion rivals that they are only 16 points off the pace.

Richard Chee Quee's 50 helped Recs scramble to 129 after 44 overs after electing to bat, Aaron Scott (3-40), Neil Birchall (3-15) and Danny Barlow (3-13) all causing problems. Shiv Das (70*) and skipper Ian Walkden (50*) eased to a nine wicket triumph after a partnership of 104*.

Colwyn Bay's win at Wigan was almost as easy. The home side battled to 168 from 42.4 overs (Alex Bailey 45, Debasis Mohanty 3-33) after the visitors' had amassed 216-9d off 55 overs, Brian Williams (89) and Sion Morris (50) sharing 130 for the third wicket. Dave Cunliffe took 4-85.

Ainsdale's Rakesh Patel (5-62) and Malcolm Swift (5-35) bowled unchanged for 32 overs as they ripped through Liverpool's brittle batting at Aigburth Road for just 101 (Stephen Nealey 41*) after the home side had won the toss. The visitors were 1-2 but recovered to win by five wickets at 102-5 after 32.2 overs.

Caldy fought bravely after making 164 (47.5 overs) at Orrell Red Triangle, Danny Hargreaves (57), Phil McDonald (47), Neil Middlehurst (4-76) and Richard Smith (3-10).

Adam Taig (57) and Steve Pegg (49) played the key roles for Orrell as they battled for a one wicket win at 165-9 (46.2 overs) with Danny Smith (3-41) and Andy Lawley (3-42) the pick of the Caldy bowlers. 

Worsley's 230-8d from 58 overs (Ian Thompson 40, Greg Thompson 39, Andy Hayhurst 39; Simon Mollitt 3-20) after losing the toss was far too good for Highfield, who replied with 152 (43.1 overs) with Tariq-ur-Rehman (37) top scoring and Ian Pearson taking 4-35.