01571

First Division - It's all change at the top - Chee Quee winner
Saturday 23rd July 2005

Newton le Willows are joint top of the First Division after one of the shortest matches in years, whilst former leaders Formby toppled to fifth after losing to promotion rivals Maghull.

The game at Caldy lasted just 29.1 overs and a little over two hours as the bottom club were annihilated. Newton le Willows' Ikram Malik (5-24) and Aaron Scott (4-18) tore the Wirral club apart for a paltry 48 (19 overs), after being 20 without loss and the visitors knocked them off with one wicket down in just 10.1 overs, SS Das 20*. Ikram's five wickets gave him 52 for the season.

Colwyn Bay slumped to 49-5 against Southport and Birkdale at Penrhyn Avenue but recovered to go joint top after a 46 run win. The Bay reached 174 (60 overs) with Ali Pitman scoring 62* and Patrick Leach 32. But the home attack of Debasis Mohanty (4-51), Leach (3-22) and Paul Jenkins (2-32) reduced the visitors to 128 (30.2 overs) with Mark Baker making 37.

St Helens Recs kept in touch with the leaders after a superb show earned them a one wicket win at Highfield. The home side settled for 231-8d after 59.3 overs, Nick Simm hitting 78 (10x4s, 1x6). Gary Freeman's left arm spin earned figures of 5-72 from 21.3 overs, alongside skipper Steve Garvey's 3-47.

After the interval, the Chee Quee factor came into play. Richard crashed an unbeaten 118 off 128 balls (15x4s, 2x6s) to see Recs home with just one ball remaining, Sean Latham adding 33 and Tariq-ur-Rehman taking 3-63 in a total of 233-9 after 46.5 overs.

Just over a month ago, two defeats to promotion rivals raised doubts about Maghull's chances of bouncing straight back into the ECB Premier League. Five weeks later, five straight wins have put them a point behind joint leaders Newton le Willows and Colwyn Bay.

Kiran Powar's magic with bat and ball is a major factor in their recent run. In the clash with leaders Formby, he took 5-62, before following it up with 106* not out (14x4s, 3x6s) to produce a three wicket triumph.

The all rounder and Liam Crilly (56, 7x4s) put together 132 for the third wicket in Maghull's response of 227-7 (47.2 overs) to Formby's 224-8d from 55 overs. Sam Hinton inspired the visitors with 95 (17x4s), sharing 166 for the third wicket with skipper Graeme Morris (88), but the home batting came out on top.

Ainsdale remain just off the pace after a Malcolm Swift inspired victory over Orrell Red Triangle by 73 runs.

Ainsdale, after electing to bat, reached 223-6d (50 overs), with Waqar Khan (50) and Rakesh Patel (39). Adam Taig, having taken 3-45, added 37 in reply, but Swift caused their Orrell's downfall at 150 (49.1 overs) with a magnificent 7-34 from 17.1 overs.

St Helens remain in trouble in a relegation position after Liverpool recorded a seven wicket win at Windleshaw Road. Gary Sheppard (40) helped them recover from 62-7 to 122 all out after 47.4 overs but Daniel Jackson (25*) and Gary Dawber (19*) guided Liverpool home after Grant Robinson (35) and Richard Smith (25) had laid a foundation.

Wigan, too, are in trouble, suffering their fourth defeat in five matches at Worsley. Andy Watson hit 60 and Victor Mpitsang took 4-52 in the home side's 195 after 51.3 overs. Watson then proved equally adept with the ball, taking 3-0 in a nine ball spell to finish Wigan off for 112 (50.3 overs) with Mpitsang top scoring with 40 and Ian Pearson taking 3-8.