Burscough threw away a good chance of recording their first win of the season

Jun 11 2009 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

BURSCOUGH tossed away the chance of their first Liverpool Competition victory of the season on Saturday like confetti at a church wedding.

The first division strugglers looked red-hot favourites to break their duck against high-flying Highfield at Wigan when, chasing the home side's generous declaration on 162-6 from 34 overs in a rain-hit match, they raced into the nineties for the loss of only one wicket.

They only required around four runs an over to win and with in-form skipper Alan Murray at the crease and overseas professional Ben McCord comfortable and in no trouble alongside him, the outcome looked almost a formality.

But when McCord was dismissed for 23 and Murray was controversially trapped lbw after a faultless 54, wickets began to tumble through a lack of application and a series of suicide shots and in the end Burscough had to cling on for a draw at 132-9.

Earlier, Mollitt had hit a sparkling 88 to set Burscough a challenging total which they miserably failed to overtake and still lie second from the bottom of the table just four points ahead of St Helens.

Hopefully, they will have Dick Powell back for Saturday's home match against Rainford.

All-rounder Powell has been absent throughout May and early June due to an extended holiday and his return will bring much needed experienced to both the batting and bowling departments.

The second XI toppled to only their second league defeat of the season on Saturday, going down by 143 runs to fellow title-chasers Highfield at School Lane.

The Wigan outfit posted a formidable total of 223-5 declared and then dismissed the hosts for 80 (Speakman 7-10).

Skipper John Heath’s side will be hoping to bounce back to league form when they visit Parkfield Liscard on Saturday.