Written by Gary Hayes
BAYBUTT SEES ORRELL TO FAMOUS VICTORY
Orrell’s first team secured a notable victory on Saturday when they welcomed Ormskirk CC to Winstanley Road. Visiting captain Gary Knight won the toss and elected to bat- a decision which looked to be the correct one given the excellent wicket prepared and the hot overhead conditions.
Orrell opened their bowling effort with Duvindu Tillakaratne and captain Sam Heeley. Tillakaratne the Sri Lankan first class player continued to do what he has done since his arrival and continually threaten the batters by making them play at every ball by using his guile. This saw him pick up two quick wickets (including a ‘great grab’ by Tom Jones at first slip) to leave the visitors 14-2. Heeley meanwhile was bowling an equally impressive spell from the other end as he found prodigious movement through the air and troubled all of the Ormskirk top order batsmen. Heeley took the key wicket of Lancashire Second team player Taylor Cornall to leave the score 27-3. Wickets continued to fall and when Orrell had the visitors 49-5 they looked to be well on top. However, the evergreen John Armstrong showed why he is one of the best batsmen to ever play in the Liverpool Competition as he delivered a masterclass in application and shot selection as wickets continued to fall around him. At 107-8, it looked like the end was nigh but Armstrong found support from Josh Thompson as they moved the Ormskirk total towards a defendable amount. The reintroduction of Heeley into the attack saw Armstrong dismissed for an excellent 65 (a pleasure to watch for the large crowd in attedance) and moments later the Ormskirk innings came to an end for 157 all out in 50.5 overs. Tillakaratne (6-71) and Heeley (2-38) with the stars of the show for Orrell with the ball whilst Tom Jones also picked up a wicket to finish with figures of 1-42.
Despite losing Ammer Mirza early on, the Orrell victory chase got off to a good start mainly due to Andrew Baybutt (back playing for his first club against the club where he achieved so much success in recent years) who displayed an intent right from the outset. That said, when the score reached 83-3 there could have still been time for an Orrell wobble. For the second week running, enter Tom Jones who displayed a murderous intent towards the Ormskirk bowling with a number of very large sixes. Orrell eventually cruised to a seven wicket victory with plenty of overs to spare to secure a very welcome maximum 25 points. Baybutt finishing unbeaten on 94 (a very classy knock from a top player) and Jones 40 not out. This was the second victory in a row for Heeley’s team and should hopefully see the confidence start to flow throughout the team.
In the second team reverse fixture at Ormskirk, the hosts inflicted their revenge as they comprehensively outplayed Dave Whiteley’s team who were not helped by an injury to opening bowler Gareth Houghton during the warmup. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Ormskirk racked up 232-6 declared in 43.3 overs. George Mushahwar took 2-30, Alfie Clarke (2-43) and the returning Phil Taberner 2-67. Orrell’s reply got off to the worst possible start as they found themselves in dire straits at 12-4. It didn’t get any better after this and Orrell were bowled out for 91 in only 28.5 overs. Terry Leaford top scoring with 24. A bad day at the office for Whiteley’s team after the recent run of victories. They will look to bounce back in the coming weeks.
Also on Saturday, Alan Moore’s third team made the trip to Earlestown CC- the temporary home of their opponents Goodlass CC. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first. They made 193 all out in 42.3 overs. George Berry and the captain (both with figures of 4-45) were the best of the Orrell bowling attack. James Leyland (1-36) and Arthur Moore (1-26) also were amongst the wickets. Opening batters Geof Burrows (41) and Mark Crumpton (29) set the platform for an Orrell victory but unfortunately, despite 31 from Oliver Mahoney and 26 from Ian Davies, the Orrell reply fell just short as they finished 180 all out in 46.2 overs.
On Sunday, Mark Crumpton’s fourth team welcomed local neighbours Newton Le Willows CC. Having been asked to bat first by the visitors, Crumpton saw his team make 187-6 declared in 45 overs. Youngster Oliver Mahoney was top scorer with 55 but there were also significant contributions other juniors Logan Pallett (36) and Thomas Wilkinson (28). Joe Whiteley (21) and George Mushahwar (19) were also amongst the runs. Unfortunately, the match was then abandoned with the agreement of both captains due to an off field safety issue and it is hoped that the match can be rearranged.
Also on Sunday, Orrell’s other fourth team made the trip to Formby. The hosts crucially won the toss in what looked to be perfect batting conditions on a baking hot day. Formby made Orrell pay for an unsatisfactory fielding display (routine catches dropped and numerous ground fielding errors) and too much loose bowling as they amassed 209-5 declared in 45 overs. James Such finishing with figures of 2-39 and Alan Moore 1-31.
Even though, the Orrell fielding display had gifted at least 40 runs to the hosts total, chasing the victory total down was not unachievable, on what looked a perfect batting strip with a lightning fast outfield, if the young Orrell batting line-up could show some application. As has happened too often this season, the young batting line up failed to show the necessary application and, despite a late innings cameo by James Edgington (20) Orrell were all out for 84 in only 29.2 overs. There is much work to be done in terms of attitude to fielding and application when batting.