Written by Gary Hayes
BAYBUTT HAS A WEEKEND TO REMEMBER
A Saturday of frustration for Sam Heeley’s first team turned into a Sunday of celebration as they achieved a notable victory away at Bootle Cricket Club – traditionally one of the hardest places to win in North West club cricket.
On Saturday, Heeley’s team welcomed Bootle to Winstanley Road in what would be the first game of a weekend double header. Having won the toss and elected to bat first, Orrell opening batters Ammer Mirza and Andy Baybutt got Orrell off to a steady start against a pace attack including ex-Lancashire bowler Toby Lester.
When first Mirza was out and then Richard Everett shouldered arms to a ball from Lester that moved back in to clip the top of his off stump, Orrell potentially found themselves in a spot of bother. This feeling was compounded when Heeley was adjudged leg before wicket to leave the score 77-4. Baybutt however was looking in fine form and it was clear that there was the potential for a large partnership Orrell if an incoming batter could stick around. This happened when Tom Jones came to the crease. Baybutt looking increasingly assured mixed excellent shot selection with increasing impudence as his trademark scoop shot was unveiled. Jones displayed a diligence to his batting that hasn’t always been present at times as he was prepared to stroke the ball about and wait for the correct time to unleash large aerial shots. Baybutt brought up a well-deserved century to the delight of the home crowd whilst Jones brought up his half-century which was also well received by those present. When both were out in the chase for quick runs prior to an imminent declaration, Heeley declared on 209-6 from 56.3 overs. Baybutt finishing on 104, Jones on 60 with their fifth wicket partnership accumulating 147 runs.
Unfortunately, the players never returned after the tea break after what was forecast to be a short period of light rain never cleared and both captains accepted the inevitable at 5:30pm with the game being abandoned. An unfortunate turn of events for Heeley’s team with them being in such a strong position in the game.
On Sunday, Heeley’s team made the trip to Bootle to play the reverse fixture – a game delayed from earlier in the season due to a Covid issue. Having won the toss and elected to bat first again, Heeley saw Mirza and Baybutt get the Orrell innings off to an assured start. Baybutt continues his fine form of the previous day whilst Mirza looked to be back in his vintage early season form as both batters looked to be untroubled with a half-century partnership brought up. Mirza was then very unlucky to be run out at the non-striker’s end -when a straight drive from Baybutt was deflected onto the stumps by the diving Bootle bowler Scott Butterworth- and departed for 26 with the score on 66-1. Baybutt then brought up a second half century of the weekend. However, he was out soon afterwards when a rare lapse of concentration saw him bowled for 58 when attempting an expansive aerial shot to leave the score 93-3. As other batters came to the crease, it became apparent that the pitch was not as easy to bat on as the openers had made it look and that it would take some grit and determination to move Orrell to an acceptable score. This came in the form of the captain himself- continuing his fine recent form- and Chris Riley who rolled back the years with some glances of his legs for four which were very pleasing on the eye. Heeley was eventually out for 39 and Riley for 21. After some late order scurrying, Orrell declared in 182-9 from 58 overs.
Given Bootle’s precarious position in the league, it was clear to all present on the ground that they needed to go for the win as a draw did nothing for their league position. Orrell struck two early blows as Tom Jones had opener Will Hale caught down the leg side by wicket-keeper David Naylor and Duvindu Tillakaratne had Vishal Tripathi leg before wicket to leave the home team 3-2. Ex-Lancashire player Toby Lester, did look to be standing in the path of an Orrell victory as he unleashed a number of large sixes. However, the introduction of Heeley into the attack- which initially saw the batter go on the offensive- saw him mistime a drive and he was out to an excellent diving catch from Mirza at extra cover. Tillakaratne continued to take wickets at regular intervals from his prodigious turn and bounce whilst Cameron Sharp was brought into the attack and proceeded to mop up the tail. Bootle were all out for 99 in 34 overs. Tillakaratne was once again the outstanding bowler with figures of 5-41 from 17 overs. Sharp took 3-11 from only two overs, Jones 1-24 from 10 overs and Heeley 1-22 from 5 overs.
This victory continued the recent excellent form of the first team. It was also special for some of the older members of the team who have rarely achieved any success at a ground that has been a fortress for the home team over a number of years.
On Saturday, Dave Whiteley’s second team made the reverse trip to Bootle looking to get back to winning ways after their defeat in their rearranged game at Southport and Birkdale. Unfortunately, things did not go to plan as the hosts posted a formidable 217-7 declared from only 39 overs. In reply, Orrell crashed to 144 all out in 31.1 overs. Stuart Craig top scoring with 69. At the time of publication of this report, the hosts had not uploaded scorecard details to Play Cricket so no further match performance details were available.
Also on Saturday, Alan Moore’s young third team made the trip to play Northern CC. After wickets tumbled at the top of the order (with only Oliver Mahoney providing any resistance of note) Orrell looked to be in all sorts of trouble at 53-7 when Mahoney was out for 31. However, late order resistance was the order of the day spearheaded by James Leyland who showed great maturity in a welcome return to batting form as he posted an unbeaten 51. Support was also provided from James Edgington who made 18 from 27 balls. Moore eventually declared on 150-9 from 52.1 overs.
The late order fightback gave Moore’s team the hope of victory if early inroads could be made into the home team batting line up. However, the hosts secured the victory for the loss of only three wickets in 35.2 overs. The Orrell wicket takers were Edgington 1-21, the skipper 1-49, and Leyland 1-28.
Moore’s team then visited Sefton Park on Sunday for a rearranged league game. Batting frailties were once again the Achilles heel of this young team as they only made 126 all out in 30.4 overs. David Cheetham made 25 in the middle order but special mention must go to James Leyland who capped an outstanding batting weekend for himself with an unbeaten 43- a great effort from such a young cricketer. Despite the hosts losing wickets at frequent intervals in the reply, they won by three wickets in only 26 overs. James Edgington finished with figures of 2-26 from six overs opening the bowling whilst other wicket takers were Leyland with figures of 1-26 from six overs, Terry Leaford 1-22 from six overs and the skipper with figures of 2-32 to from seven overs.
On Sunday Mark Crumpton’s fourth team welcomed Alder to Winstanley Road. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first. This proved to be a good decision on a day of rain interruptions as they raced to 176-7 declared in 34.5 overs. Alfie Berry was the star Orrell bowler with figures of 4-28 from 5.5 overs. Declan O’Shaughnessy with 1-38 from six overs, Joe Whiteley 1-35 from six overs and Emily James 1-29 from seven overs.
The speed at which the visitors achieved a total they felt comfortable to declare on meant that, whilst there were rain interruptions, there were still enough overs left in the day for them to attempt to take 10 wickets but equally for Crumpton’s team to chase down the victory target. The Orrell batting line up was not up to the challenge however as despite 46 from the skipper opening the innings Orrell were 151 all out in 42.2 overs. Gregg Macdonald scored 23, Dave Whiteley contributed 26 runs but special mention must go to young James Hine who scored 19 when opening the innings.