WHAT a difference a year has made for Birkenhead Park.
This time last season, the dispirited Wirral club floundered at the foot of the Murray Smith Accountants Cheshire County League first division table and were soon to be relegated with only three wins in 22 matches.
This summer, Park have buckled down to life in the second division and pulled up their socks to such an extent that they are hot favourites for promotion straight back up. What's more, if they can win tomorrow's home game against leaders Christleton they could still make a pitch for the title.
What has made the difference this season has been the improvement of several young players, like Chris Stenhouse and Carl Ains-worth, more spirited team work - and the huge injection of consist-ent runs by Australian batsman Damon Livermore.
Left-hander Livermore 27, comes from Gordon, the Sydney first grade club where Oulton Park's Cheshire all-rounder Jason Whittaker is heading this winter. A popular man and a good coach according to skipper Dave Smith, Livermore enjoyed a remarkable game against Bredbury last weekend, carrying his bat for a chance-less 128, then taking four catches as well as bowling a couple of tidy overs.
Livermore now has 983 runs, making him by far the highest run scorer in the league and thus needing only 17 against Christleton to chalk up the magical four figures.
Birkenhead, however, may need a tall score to get the better of Jim Gillson's consistent Chester-based side, who have won 12 games and lost once in 17 outings, back on June 28 against Stockport Georgians. There are currently 26 points between the two teams.
The disappointment of the second half of the season have been Irby, whose batting has collapsed to leave the Mill Hill Road side wallowing in mid-table after they had been fighting for a top two place. Irby have scored 77, 68, 78 and 109 in their last four matches, all of which have resulted in defeat, a sequence they will be hoping to end at home to Bredbury.
It remains tight at the bottom, meanwhile, with just 22 points separating the lower six clubs, with several key games in prospect tomorrow, notably improving Tattenhall at home to Timperley while Mobberley host Sale.
Up in Division One, secondplaced Widnes aim for an improve-ment after losing in both league and cup last weekend. They make the short journey to Warrington, one of three teams with genuine relegation problems.
The splendidly consistent Bapa Mukheree apart, Widnes' bowlers let them down in their defeats against Grappenhall and Oulton Park and skipper Andy Woods will be demanding more accuracy and penetration at Walton Lea.
Leaders by 20 points, Poynton should maintain their advantage at Alsager and joint third-placed Winnington Park will expect to get the better of bottom dogs Heaton Mersey at the Rec.
Mid-table Upton meet Brooklands at Old Greasby Road, while Grappenhall aim to continue their improved form when they host Congleton at Broad Lane.
Toft face a busy weekend, hoping to keep their outside promotion chances going against Cheadle Hulme tomorrow, followed by a Quinn Thomas Cheshire Cup semi-final at home to Oxton on Sunday.
