Aug 30 2012 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle
PROMOTION aspirants Northop Hall had their bid for a hat-trick of notable Liverpool Competition victories dashed by rain as their Saturday clash with third-placed rivals Orrell Red Triangle ended in a draw.
And there was further misery for Gareth Williams’ side as Monday’s trip to face Liverpool was abandoned without a ball being bowled as the inclement weather persisted.
As they set out on what should have been a bumper weekend of cricket Hall were brimming with confidence.
Having already comprehensively defeated Orrell at Smithy Lane on the opening day, they headed north reflecting in the glory of having humbled runaway league leaders Wallasey and the late-season form team Alder.
Hall skipper Williams winning streak continued with the coin toss and he put the home side in to bat.
Orrell’s response to the decision was to deliver a solid innings, setting a challenging total of 195-8 before declaring after 58 overs.
Mark Friend (65) led the scorers as Hall’s James Hurlin (3-16), Syed Ali Mudassir (2-36) and Will Higginson (2-28) tried in vain to spark a collapse.
After tea Hall came to the crease as the rainclouds gathered.
Williams (28) led the Hall chase accompanied by Dave Kennedy, who followed up his unbeaten half-century the previous week with 25no as the rain forced a reduction in the number of overs.
Kennedy was robbed of the opportunity to repeat his match-winning feat of the previous week as the rain fell, forcing the umpires to call the game a draw with the visitors stranded on 112-5.
For Northop Hall 2nds the weekend brought slightly better fortunes as they celebrated a win over Liverpool on Saturday in the Second XI Premier Division but saw their Monday match at Colwyn Bay end in a no contest.
A rip roaring performance from Danny Clubbe at home to Liverpool saw the bowler take 6-45 as the visitors were skittled for just 72.
Jake Farrow then took the lead, opening with Ben Slater and scoring 49no alongside Slater’s 18no as Hall made 73-0 to win by 10 wickets.
Monday also started well for Hall. Hosts Colwyn Bay had made 149-6 after 44 overs when play was stopped due to the weather.
Clubbe had again been in good form taking 5-54.