Aughton CC entertained Winstanley Park CC on Saturday at Winifred Lane, with a ‘cup final’ weakened team putting up stubborn resistance with players showing they’d literally ‘run through a brick wall’ for the club...

Sadly, they just came up short in the end in a 6 wicket defeat to what were the better team on the day.

Invited to bat first after losing the toss, ex-Bootle player Paul Stephens ’rolled’ back the years and opened the batting with Parkinson. Aughton refused to ‘roll’ over to a talented young WP side and battled to 114 - 7 off 40 with 52 from Waterhouse and 28 from Rao the main contributions.

A solid opening spell from Taylor and Webber didn’t bring the required wickets needed with the new ball; the lack of a strike bowler to steam roller through and put the opposition under pressure has been a problem all season.

WP batsman Williams scored a fine 56 before pick of the Aughton bowlers Braizier had him caught in the gully by Woods.

Aughton only had themselves blame though with dropped catches, and a mix up in a run out opportunity when Taylor dived and diverted a stumps bound throw away from the target which would have made any Premier League goalkeeper proud.

Nevertheless it was a spirited performance from Aughton who fought hard to the end and not even the last ‘roll of the dice’ introduction of a half fit Woods could make a difference.

Pick of Aughton’s bowlers were Brazier and G Barnes - Aughton move on to an away fixture at Earlestown next Saturday.