COLWYN Bay secured a huge victory in their fight for Liverpool and District League Cricket League Premier Division survival thanks to a five-wicket triumph at Wallasey.

A superb batting display from George Johansen, together with the bowling exploits of Ryan Holtby contributed significantly to the morale boosting win, and Sion Morris’ men are now 20 points clear of the relegation zone as they prepare to welcome Rainhill to Penrhyn Avenue on Saturday.

Holtby wasted little time in making an impact with the new ball by removing the opening duo of Chris Davies and visiting skipper Daniel Beaver for 15 and four, and he was also on hand to dispose of the dangerous Alex Eagles for ten on his way to eventual figures of 4-50 from a mammoth 19 overs.

Veteran spinner Paul Jenkins also got in on the act with the scalps of Josh Rylance (13) and Jack Leckey to finish on 2-54, with Jamie Moorhouse also helping himself to a pair of wickets in the form of top scorer Matthew Wilcox (36) and Greg Beaver (18) as the home side declared on 161-9.

Things got off to the worst possible start at the crease as Matthew Keogh disposed of Pat Leach and Morris for a duck and four, but Zack Gidlow provided some resistance before he was eventually removed by Greg Beaver after contributing 37.

Johansen fared far better in the middle and demonstrated his immense promise with a ten-boundary 67 to put his side in the ascendancy, and Adam Campion remained resolute at the other end to score 32 as the visitors reached their required total for the loss of five wickets after 51 overs in the middle.

There was no such luck for Bay’s second unit, who fell to a narrow nine-run home reverse to Maghull despite impressive knocks from Chris Barry (59) and Luke Russell (44), in addition to figures of 4-30 from James Jones.