Northop Hall’s title aspirations in Liverpool Competition Second Division suffered a blow as they lost by 44 runs at promotion rivals Caldy.

The hosts won the toss, electing to bat, and posted 195 all out in 54 overs, Alex Risk making 43 and Haroon Khan hitting 34. Off-spinner James Hurlin took 5-67 off 21 overs for Hall, Dan Clubbe took 3-61 and Jac Kennedy claimed 2-51.

Hall lost Alex Smith and Jamie Griffiths early in reply, but Hurlin (16) and Ben Slater (31) steadied the ship. However, from 118 for four, Hall collapsed to 151 all out, with only Jamie Hodgson’s 53-ball 50 demonstrating any purposeful resolve.

Caldy leapfrog Hall to go top of the table with a nine-point lead at the head of affairs. Hall are now just four points ahead of third-placed Sutton St Helens.