Ormskirk crowned champions of Liverpool

Ormskirk went four whole weeks without a win yet still achieved 16 victories from 26 matches in 2008 to take the Business Assistance Liverpool and District Premier Cricket title with a five point advantage over last years champions Bootle and ten points ahead of third placed New Brighton.

It was a close run thing in the end. Adam Waterhouse's side had a 19 point cushion going into the final game at Wallasey, which had plenty resting on it since championship titles apart, the Wirral outfit needed a win to avoid relegation.

Ormskirk bowled out Wallasey for 205 and when the news filtered through from St Helens Recs that Bootle had made just 137, the celebrations started since it was enough to earn the seven points required to clinch the title.

Waterhouse played a crucial role, too, taking 5-36, while Ritchie Conlan (84 not out) and Kuran Makol (45) batted well for the home side. Simon Kerrigan completed a superb season with 3-55. Ultimately, it was Chris Bourne's super spell of 6-56 which guaranteed Wallasey's safety as Ormskirk were dismissed for 189.

However, John Armstrong made it a night of double celebration by scoring 80 to take him past 1000 runs for the season – the first Ormskirk player to achieve the feat post war. It was Ormskirk's first ECB Premier League title since 2001.

The home win consigned both St Helens Recs and Maghull, who defeated Colwyn Bay to First Division cricket next year.

Steve Parry (37) and skipper Ian Cockbain (24), on his farewell appearance, did best in Bootle's total at St Helens Recs, but Gary Freeman made them struggle with a great spell of 6-42, supported by Mark Jenkins’ 3-43.

Mark O'Connor gave the home batsmen a torrid time with an incredible 6-6 from 7.2 overs to send Recs packing for 65 (Stuart Toole 23), and Bootle ended up five points adrift of the champions.

Maghull's disastrous run of 13 games without a win proved their undoing, but they finished with a win over Colwyn Bay. Suwanji Madanayake’s 5-27 took him to 74 wickets for the season as the Welsh side made 142 (Ryan Swiers 3-73). Paul Jenkins took 4-38 in reply, but the relegation-bound side got home by two wickets.

New Brighton claimed third place after beating Hightown by 50 runs. Buddhika Fernando (39) boosted the Wirral side to 138 (David Maskell 4-24, Andy Warhurst 3-52) and then dismissed the visitors for 88 (Ashraf Nawab 4-29, Martyn Evans 3-14).

Spinner Andy Davies has excelled this season and his 5-47 (taking him to 51 wickets) helped Fleetwood Hesketh to victory at Formby, who managed 181 (Mike Simpson 35) after electing to bat.

Mark Prince also took 3-50. But Kasun Bodhisha (60) and Derek Sykes (50*) put together 107 for the third wicket in a six wicket win. The day marked a rare occasion with two father and son partnerships playing for Formby. Josh Hadden (16) made his début in the match that marked his father Dave's retirement, whilst Tom Simpson (14) played alongside his wicket keeping father, Mike.

Ten man Northern went down by 59 runs at Prestatyn, who totalled 231-6 declared (50.5) after winning the toss. Morne Williams (57) and Will Owen (50) led the way, while Phil Cooper took 4-48. Greg Phillips (78), James Cole (40) and Nick Woods (31) batted well, but there was little support in their 172 (Richard Williams 4-40, Owen 3-58).

Michael Cooper hammered 80 as Lytham (221) proved too good for Southport and Birkdale after being inserted. Chris Firth bowled well to return 5-46, while James Dixon had 3-36, but the visitors could only reply with 165 (Mark Baker 44, Patrick Jackson 39) through the efforts of Jimmy Wisniewski (4-56) and Marcus Sharp (3-22).