Torrisholme seal promotion back to Palace Shield Premier Division

In a result that also saw the hosts relegated to Division Two Matt Jackson’s men posted 187 before bowling out Mawdesley for 157.

Home skipper Matt Watkinson invited Torrisholme to bat with the visitors’ opening pair Andy Butler (34) and Dan Woods (6) starting well.

After Woods was removed, Chris Parry (11) tried to get on top of the spinners early but was caught at mid off.

Glen Russell (31) succeeded where Parry had failed before but like Butler was to fall when his innings showed plenty of promise.

James Ferguson (29) and Adam Bee (43) ensured the innings finished strongly with Neil O’Malley (3-58) and Nathan Trengrove (3-56) the pick of the Mawdesley bowlers.

In reply, David Whiteley (47) and Chris Gibirdi (48) played with real composure as the Torrisholme bowlers initially struggled.

However when Gibirdi went the visitors turned the screw with Parry (2-31) bowling well in tandem with Graham Lee who turned out to be the match-winner.

He stepped up to rip the heart out of the Mawdesley batting line-up. Even a spirited 16 from Watkinson was ended by a stunning Butler catch.

Lee claimed his sixth five-wicket haul of the season returning figures of 7-33 to seal the win for Torrisholme and promotion to the Premier Division.