Burscough CC suffered their fifth defeat of the season at the weekend

Jun 4 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

DESPITE posting a total of 205-9 declared from 54.5 overs, struggling Burscough toppled to their fifth defeat of the season in the first division of the Liverpool Competition at sun-baked School Lane on Saturday.

Earlier order batsman, Jon Stone (60), Mark Rawsthorne (58) and skipper Alan Murray (33) gave the hosts the platform to build a total of 230-plus but the innings faded away toward the tail-end and wickets were given away far too cheaply.

To make matters worse, Burscough's bowling was far from satisfactory as they were ripped apart on what was a track full of runs.

Townsend led the way with a sparkling unbeaten 117 and scoring at almost five an over throughout their innings, Maghull cruised to an emphatic victory.

The 2nd X1, however, chalked up their seventh win in nine outings in the reverse fixture at Old Hall Field and maintained third spot in the table five points behind Highfield of Wigan and 24 adrift of Orrell.

The home side, who batted first, were dismissed for 130 with M. Gillespie (78) the top scorer Rob Glaysher (4-33) and skipper John Heath (3-30) did the damage with the ball.

In reply, opener Kenny Hughes (62 no) and Dave Atherton (42 no) steered Burscough home in just 34 overs.

On Saturday, the !st X1 are away to Highfield, while in the reverse fixture at School Lane the second string entertain their fellow title challengers from Wigan in what should be a fascinating clash (wickets pitched 1.45pm).