All five senior Skelmersdale Cricket Club sides win at the weekend

Jun 4 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

SKEM’S cricketers enjoyed a wonderful weekend, with wins for all five senior sides - a record in the modern era.

A rapidly improving first team enjoyed a convincing seven wicket success at Sefton Park.

After winning the toss and gaining first use of an excellent batting track, Sefton quickly lost regular anchor man Chris Bellis, clean bowled by a superb Mohammad Azam delivery. But a second wicket stand of 68 between David Baird and John Jackson threatened to take the game away from Skem until Jackson became the first of five home batsmen to hole out in the deep.

Spinners Tony Manley (5-29) and Ben Maddocks (2-49) - supported by some brilliant outfielding - combined to send Park crashing from 102-2 to 132 all out, Azam finsihing off the tail in style to finsih with 3-26.

Openers Jonas Smith (54) and Mark Baker (32) put on 81 for the first wicket, before Greg Wadsworth smashed an unbeaten 33 from just 18 balls to see Skem home.

Skem seconds got the better of a thriller with Colwyn Bay at Scott Rees Park.

Leading wicket-taker Mike Moss grabbed 4-23 as the Welshmen posted 170-8 declared, then shared an opening partnership of 70 with Phil Wright (47) to put Skem in complete control in reply.

But when Skem lost four wickets for just seven runs in midstream, all looked lost for the home side until skipper Steve Maddocks (16) steadied the ship and Mike Houghton (31 not out) held his nerve to see Skem home with three wickets to spare.

And Sunday's Liverpool Competition Chester Cup clash at Wavertree was another Second team thriller, Barry Leadbetter and Mike Houghton scoring each half-centuries as Skem overhauled the home side's impressive 216 with just an over to spare.

There were no anxieties for Carl Welsh's third XI , who handed out a 156 run thrashing to neighbours Newburgh.

Batting first, Skem rattled up 183-4 in just 45 overs.

That control was re-emphasised when Skem took the field, former first team favourite Ian Morris devastating the opposition with 5-4 off nine overs and Connor Welsh bagging two wickets as Newburgh were out for just 27.

The Sunday XI cantered to a six wicket win at Glazebury.