They dodged relegation from Division Two in a season of two halves – now Parkfield Liscard are hoping to pick up where they left off.

New captain Nuwan Wijekoon hopes his team – consisting largely of players who joined last season – has learned a thing or two about the way the Comp works.

The Wirral side went winless until July 22 last year but picked up five of their last nine to inch off the bottom on the final day, and send Irby down in their place.

Their final day win, at Northop Hall, was wrapped up early enough that the team could stop off on their way home to catch the last knockings of Irby’s defeat to Norley Hall, confirming their safety.

“It was a great day,” said Wijekoon. “We remained in the league by the skin of our teeth.

“One of the reasons was there were a lot of new players last year who haven’t got much experience but are very good cricketers. 

“After the first half of the season, they managed to learn how Comp cricket works, and it was enough to win five games.

“We will be a stronger side now we know how the league is playing and the players have some more experience.”

The new players included Sadeep Saputantrige, a seamer whose 7/48 set up that crucial last-day win.

He and several other new arrivals came en masse from Merseyside Commonwealth Conference, in the Southport & District league.

Wijekoon is hoping to add a Sri Lankan U19 off-spinning all-rounder in the next few weeks.

He added: “We need someone to bat around us. 

“The bowling attack was good last year – even though we didn’t win any games in the first half of the season, we managed to restrict other teams to low scores but couldn’t chase them.

“As a team, everyone will do their bit. We just need someone to play around us.”