IRBY suffered a disappointing 74 runs reverse at home to Stockport Georgians in Division Two of the Murray Smith Cheshire County League.

Colin Gibson, with 3-40, helped restrict the visitors to 183-8 but the Irby batting failed. Ian Webster top-scored with an unbeaten 30. It was not the best preparation for Saturday's home derby with Birkenhead Park, who drew against Cheadle.

Birkenhead St Mary's stayed top of the Merseyside and Southport Alliance with their 12th victory. The margin at Croston was seven wickets. Shakeel Nawaz played an important role with an unbeaten half century and a 4-30 haul. Mizan Haq took 4-19 and John Ford topped the batting with 62.

Mian Nasees with 7-24 and an unbeaten knock of 83 was the Parkfield match winner at Manweb. The margin was eight wickets.

Parkonians failed by five wickets at Offerton in Division Two of the Meller Braggins Cheshire League. Tim Hitchell batted well for 74 and Graham Moxley took 3-58.

Wirral fell by four runs at Knuts-ford in Division Three and Port Sunlight by 10 wickets at home to Barrow after being dismissed for 92.

Fifteen-year-old Mark Sampson contributed 63 for Birkenhead in the Bromborough Paints Merseyside Competition but they were denied by the last St Mary's College Old Boys' pair. Imman Haq and Paul Carpenter each claimed four wickets. The Old Boys closed on 131-9 after Saints posted 168-9 declared.

Parkfield fell by four wickets against the Merseyside Commonwealth. Their 96 total never looked to be enough.

Eastham Bromborough took the derby against Wirral by 145 runs in Division Three of the Shammah Nicholls Cheshire Alliance. Wirral were shot out for just 43.

Saughall made it by seven wickets at Capenhurst while Lis-card Central lost by five runs at home to Kerridge.

Parkfield hope to take another step towards lifting their first ever trophy in the Merseyside Competition tonight. They are at home to in-form Mossley Hill in the semifinals of the Lever Cup. Rainhill and Wavertree meet in the other tie.