RAIN THWARTS ORRELL YET AGAIN
Written by Gary Hayes
A second consecutive wet weekend saw limited cricket played once again for Orrell’s senior teams.
With both first and third team games washed out on the Saturday, it fell to Dave Whiteley’s second team to provide the entertainment away at Lytham. Rain unfortunately did affect this game also as the players were on and off for various showers throughout the day.
Having won the toss and elected to bat, Whiteley’s team were indebted to an unbeaten century from Ben Mahoney as they made 201-7 declared in 42.4 overs. Mahoney did get some support from fellow opener Matthew Wareing (20) and Alfie Clarke (37). In reply, a phenomenal bowling performance from Phil Taberner saw the hosts in trouble at 87-5. However, the other bowlers failed to provide the necessary support and the substandard fielding performance (with several dropped catches) saw the hosts chase down the victory target with one ball to spare. Taberner finishing with exceptional figures of 6-55 from 14.5 overs and undeserving of being on the losing side.
On Sunday, Mark Crumpton’s fourth team saw the game at Spring View called off due to the unfit nature of the host’s ground after the recent rain. Meanwhile back at Winstanley Road, Matthew Hayes and his fourth team welcomed Hightown St Mary’s. Having won the toss and elected to bat, the hosts seemed to be in trouble at 55-5 with only Gregg Macdonald (20) and Ben Connor (13) reaching double figures. However, the skipper and his younger brother Dominic came to the rescue with a brilliant six wicket partnership mixing intelligent shot selection and running with some big hits. The skipper was eventually out for a well made 93 in 70 balls whilst his brother finished unbeaten on 58 as the Orrell innings ended on 217 all out in 41.5 overs.
In reply, the young Orrell bowling attack made steady inroads into the visitors line up. However, overhead conditions started to worsen and, with it starting to rain and light conditions deteriorating, the game was called off early as a draw with the visitors 92-5 and 15 overs of the day’s play remaining. James Such took 2-13 from 5 overs, Connor 2-9 and James Hine 1-8.
A frustrating end to the game for Hayes and his young charges but yet more valuable developmental opportunities for his players.
The club would also like to congratulate Dominic Hayes (U15) Harrison Hurst (U13) and Georgia Warburton (U13 Girls) on their selection for the Lancashire County age group squads for the 2021 season. A brilliant achievement for all three of them.