ST HELENS Town are now firmly in control of their promotion hopes following a five-wicket victory over visitors Parkfield Liscard.

Parkfield won the toss and opted to bat but three Phil Murgatroyd wickets allowed Town to making early inroads.

Disciplined batting enabled Parkfield to recover to 80-4, before the introduction of Liam Gaskell changed the course of the innings.

Making the ball tail in late, Gaskell proceeded to blow the Parkfield lower order away, finishing with 4-16 as the innings ended on 115 all out.

Towns’ spinner Jenions contributed three wickets during a tight 12-over spell.

The early Town response was disastrous as wickets tumbled to 19-4.

Fantastic swing bowling did the damage, with the Parkfield overseas bowler combining with Neil Hughes.

Debutant Grant Mearns was joined by captain Jimmy Davies, batting lower than his usual position in the order.

The pair were initially watchful, Davies surviving two sharp chances to the slips.

Mearns played cautiously, looking to capitalise only on the bad balls and the total began to come down.

With 40 to win, Mearns fell lbw for 24 despite there being more than a hint of bat involved.

Young Matty Bielby joined the captain who then opened his repertoire to launch a straight six, and shortly after bring up his 50.

The game ended as Davies flicked Depieza away, finishing 58 not out with a five-wicket victory secured.