It was a Saturday of success for Orrell’s senior teams with all teams winning their matches.
Sam Heeley’s first-team, buoyed by the opening-day victory away at New Brighton, welcomed newly promoted Colwyn Bay to Winstanley Road. The home team included recently arrived Sri Lankan overseas player Naveen Gunawardana in their team.
The visitors won the toss and elected to bowl first. This looked to be a good decision when both opening batters were back in the pavilion with the score only on 22- Andy Baybutt caught behind and Luke Prescott adjudged leg before wicket. When Mark Waddington was also adjudged leg before wicket (offering no shot) then Orrell looked to be in a little bit of trouble at 36-3. A solid fourth wicket partnership between Richard Everett and Heeley was required. Crucially for Orrell, this is what happenedwith the contrasting styles of both batters proving effective as a partnership. Unfortunately, Heeley was then stumped for 29 to make the score 99-4. Everett, as he did so many times last season, continued in his own unflappable way and importantlyreceived support from the Orrell and lower middle order through a series of cameos from various batters. Pleasingly, the home-grown Orrell batter was able to bring up a well-deserved unbeaten century in the last over before the tea break- Heeley taking the opportunity to declare on 204-8 in 55 overs which looked to be a competitive total given the recent wet weather.
Orrell opening bowlers, Heeley and Dominic Hayes, both bowled with real intent and skill as they tested the techniques of the Colwyn Bay opening batters. Heeley was the first strike via a smart stumping from Everett and then Hayes clean bowled Zach Gidlow. Gunawardana was introduced into the attack and soon secured his maiden Orrell wicket with a fine caught and bowled dismissing Sion Morris. When Heeley struck again courtesy of an athletic catch by Luke Prescott at mid-off, then the visitors seem to be in trouble at 38-4. There then followed a fantastic counter-attacking innings from the visitors Minor Counties player Will Evans as he hit several effortless boundaries in a manner that was very easy on the eye. Importantly for the hosts, Matthew Parkinson was able to dismiss Evans via a stunning diving catch from Gunawardana at mid-off running backwards. The Sri Lankan player then saw off the remainder of the Colwyn Bay innings as they were all out for 130 with around 11 overs of the day’s play left. Gunawardana finishing with 5-44 on debut, Parkinson 2-27, Heeley 2-17 and Hayes 1-19.
Another pleasing victory for Heeley’s team as they look to build the momentum for some difficult challenges ahead.
Meanwhile, Steve Unsworth took the second team over to Liverpool to play Old Xaverians. The hosts won the toss and elected to bat first- a decision that seemed to be the correct one as they passed 50 without the loss of any wickets. However, the bowling changes of Unsworth made an impact as the hosts went from 67-0 to 120 all out in 43.2 hours. Terry Leaford was the pick of the bowlers with 4-10 closely followed by Logan Pallet with 4-28. George Mushahwar was the other wicket taker.
In reply, Orrell looked to be in trouble at 42-4 after the fluent innings of Ben Mahoney came to an end for 22. It was at this point that the experienced heads in the team took control of the situation and tailored their approach to the conditions. This was led by club stalwart Stuart Craig whose discipline and patience enabled him to anchor the innings as others batted around him. With support from Unsworth (22) and David Naylor (19) Craig saw Orrell to victory by three wickets with a number of overs left in the day’s play. Craig finishing unbeaten on 26 from 89 balls- a game winning innings.
Also on Saturday, Alan Moore’s third team made the trip to the Wirral to play New Brighton Magpies to get their season underway. The hosts won the toss and batted first. They were dismissed for 138 in 34 overs with David Cheetham taking 5-27 in 11 overs. George Berry (2-27) Joe Whiteley (1-14) and Charlie Sarath (1-9) were the other wicket takers. Moore’s team cruised to a six wicket victory in only 22 overs off the back of 32 from Cheetham, 31 from Mark Crumpton and an unbeaten 31 from Harrison Hurst.
On Sunday, Mark Crumpton’s Sunday Premier league team made the trip to neighbours Spring View. Winning the toss and batting first, Orrell made 153-5 declared from 40.4 overs. The captain led the way with 72, Ben Connor made 22 and Oliver Mahoney 40. Unfortunately, the localised rain failed to shift and saw the abandonment of the match at this point.
Also on Sunday, Emily James’ Sunday Development team welcomed Leigh to Winstanley Road. The visitors won the tossand chose to bowl first. Despite promising starts from a number of players- especially the Such brothers James and Tom) the young home team batting line up were indebted to an unbeaten half-century from Dominic Hayes as they made 137 all out in 35.4 overs.
In reply, the slightly older Leigh batters cashed in on some inconsistent bowling from the young attack. There were also a few difficult chances given but none were taken. The visitors winning by eight wickets in only 22.4 overs. The only highlight from an Orrell perspective was a stunning run out from Hayes.