Orrell’s first-team made it three wins in three at the start of the 2023 season with a tense victory over Rainford Cricket Club at Winstanley Road. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first in overcast conditions. They soon found themselves in trouble in the face of some probing new ball bowling from bothSam Heeley and Dominic Hayes. Heeley struck first when he had opener Jason Login caught by Matthew Wareing at backward point. Hayes backed this up when he had Matthew Bailey caught behind by keeper Richard Everett and then Craig Woods caught by Wareing. 25-3 soon became 38-5 as Naveen Gunawardana struck twice after his introduction to the attack. The visitors desperately needed a partnership to rescue their hopes in the game and this came about with a substantial sixth wicket partnership between Captain John Dotters and James Davies. They mixed diligent defence with calculated aggression in attack to take Rainford past the hundred mark and change the complexion of the game.
The game swung back in Orrell’s favour with the score on 125 as Alfie Clarke had Dotters stumped by Everett and then Davies was caught by Andy Baybutt at first slip from the bowling of Gunawardana. 125-7 soon became 126 all out as Clarke and Gunawardana ran through the visitors bottom order. Rainford going from 125-5 to 126 all out in 42.4 overs- losing five wickets for one run.
Gunawardana finished with figures of 4-40, Clarke 2-12, Hayes 2-13 and Heeley 1-30.
In reply, Orrell openers Andy Baybutt and Luke Prescott got their innings off to a watchful start in the face of some impressive Rainford bowling- the highlight being an exquisite pulled six from Prescott. At 59-0 Orrell looked to be cruising to victory but, just as in the first innings, the game changed in the space of a few short minutes. First, Prescott (33) was adjudged leg before wicket and then Baybutt (22) was caught down the leg side attempting a paddle sweep. When Mark Waddington edged his second ball behind to 1st slip, Orrell had gone from 59-0 to 59-3. The visitors went from being very quiet in the field to scenting blood and upped their intensity in all that they did. When Everett was adjudged leg before wicket and then Wareing was caught at backward point, Orrell looked to be in trouble at81-5.
Skipper Heeley was joined at the crease by Matthew Hayes and this helped to stabilise the situation for the hosts as Hayesshowed solid defence alongside astute running between the wickets and calculated risks at appropriate times with a more expansive game to quicken the scoring rate which had slowed to a crawl. This sixth wicket partnership saw Orrell moved the score beyond 100 and it looked like they would see the home team to victory. Unfortunately, Heeley (20) was also out leg before wicket to make the score 108-6. Matthew Hayes was joined at the crease by his younger brother Dominic as visiting skipper Dotters brought himself back into the attack for a one final burst in an attempt to win the game. However, the Hayesbrothers were determined that they would not let victory slip from Orrell’s grasp. When Dominic hit a 4 to make the scores equal, the relief around the ground was palpable. He then hit the winning runs as the hosts finished on 128-6 in 51.5 overs-an attritional effort in the face of determined Rainford bowling. Matthew Hayes finished unbeaten on 27- a pivotal innings for the team in the context of the game- whilst Dominic finished unbeaten on 11.
This victory sees Heeley’s team sit second in the table and was crucial in continuing to build the momentum and confidence of the team for the many difficult challenges ahead- starting with a top of the table clash away at neighbours Leigh next Saturday.
Also on Saturday, Orrell second team maintained the unbeaten start to the season with a victory away at Ainsdale with the junior players in the team coming to the fore. The hosts won the toss and chose to bat first. They were dismissed for 141 in 50.3 overs with four wickets for James Leyland, two wickets for Arthur Moore and one wicket apiece for James Edgington and David Cheetham. In reply, Orrell won by five wickets in only 27.1 overs on the back of 43 from Arthur Moore, an unbeaten 37 from Oliver Mahoney and an unbeaten 26 from Harrison Hurst. The juniors in the team playing a full part in this victory with bat and ball- a source of great pride to all involved at the club.
Also on Saturday, Alan Moore’s third team saw their game away at Wallasey rained off with the hosts 140-9 after 45 overs. The skipper leading the way with a 5 wicket haul as well as two wickets for Gregg Lea and one for Thomas Wilkinson.
All Sunday games were beaten by the wet weather including the first teams National Knockout game against Hyde which has been rescheduled for next Sunday 7th May at home.