Long and short of it for the leading lights

SATURDAY was the longest day of the year, but the Love Lane Liverpool Competition’s two leading lights still couldn’t find time to force a result.

- BY TOM EVANS

Mid-afternoon rain had the decisive say, stopping leaders Ormskirk in their tracks after a strong start at Northern’s Moor Park.

After the resumption, George Politis was able to complete a century, before he fell for 101 with the score 143/2.

Captain Gary Knight then joined George Lavelle for a stand of 108.

With his side in control of the game and ahead in the table, the skipper was in no rush to declare and only pulled the plug shortly after he was out for 67, with Lavelle unbeaten on 71 and the board reading 257/3.

There was time, it turned out, for 35 overs Ormskirk’s bowlers had a puncher's chance, while Northern's batters had somewhat less.

In the end, both landed a few blows the hosts slipped to 62/4 before half-centuries from Louis Bhabra and Alex Vincent led them to safety.

Ormskirk’s two-point advantage on the day stretches their lead in the table to 16.