Bootle and Ormskirk neck and neck

With two weeks of the season remaining, Bootle and Ormskirk are neck and neck on 418 points at the top of the Business Assistance Liverpool Competition Premier League with New Brighton third on 408 after all three picked up maximum points from their triumphant weekend's work.

Against Prestatyn, the defending champions and 2008 title favourites made 220 for seven declared from 49 overs with Jack Kelliher contributing 49, Ronnie Davis 40 and Gavin Reynolds 38 then Mark O’Connor pitched in with 3-44 as the Welsh side were dismissed for 162.

John Armstrong made an unbeaten century and shared a century stand with Matthew Glayzer (46) to steer Ormskirk to 223 for two then Simon Kerrigan (3-54) and Martyn Farrell (3-20) shared the spoils as Southport and Kirkdale were dismissed for 155, giving the visitors victory by 68 runs.

New Brighton posted a six wicket win over Formby after Martyn Evans (5-21) and Ashraf Nawab (3-37) restricted their opponents to 119 (46.5), which represented easy pickings for the

Trailing a long way behind New Brighton are Lytham, 94 points behind in fourth place, who thrashed Northern thanks to a superb all round performance from Richard Openshaw. He made an unbeaten 124 from 81 balls (11 sixes, seven fours) which combined with Rob Dingle’s 73 allowed them to declare on 257 for three while Marcus Sharp (5-26) and Openshaw (3-22) made light work of Northern restricting them to just 93.

Wallasey look set to go down following their five run defeat against Fleetwood Hesketh and bottom placed St Helen Recs were beaten by Colwyn Bay though like Formby still have four games in hand.