Orrell’s first team succumbed to defeat away at last year’s champions Wallasey on Saturday. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Orrell captain Sam Heeley sensed the opportunity to put pressure on the faltering defending champions.
Unfortunately, things did not go to plan as Orrell were bowled out for only 114 in 41.3 overs by a Wallasey bowling attack missing last year’s competition leading wicket taker Sumit Ruikar who was unable to bowl due to injury.
There was a sign of what was to come when Luke Prescott was bowled on only the second ball of the innings. Things did not get better as Andy Baybutt was given out leg before wicket with the score only on eight. Only Mark Waddington provided any real resistance until he was also adjudged leg before wicket on 41. Three of the Orrell top six batters were bowled and three were adjudged leg before wicket. Heeley was the last of the established batters to remain at the crease and was hoping for some support from the lower order. Unfortunately, this did not materialise as some batters gave their wickets away with poor shot selection and there was a fourth leg before wicket dismissal of the innings of the innings.
Despite a couple of close shaves early on and edges that flew through the slip cordon at times, the home teams opening batters took an ultra-aggressive approach, emboldened by chasing such a low total, and they cruised to a 10 wicket victory in only 19.1 overs.
A very disappointing day at the office with only one point gained. Whilst Orrell were missing key batter Richard Everett for this game, it is clear that, even accounting for some conjecture around some of the four leg before wicket decisions- that the Orrell batting lineup must collectively take a far more resilient and determined approach to batting for longer.
Back at Winstanley Road on Saturday, Steve Unsworth second team were involved in a high-scoring tussle with visitors Southport Trinity. Winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Unsworth saw his top order fail- with only Logan Pallett with 24 runs making a significant contribution- and it looked very much as if Orrell would be bowled out for a low score. However, Unsworth knew that his team batted deep and the trio of the skipper himself (38) Terry Leaford (41) and David Cheetham (51 not out) got Orrell out of jail as the home team finished on 208-8 declared from 42 overs. A brilliant recovery from the position they found themselves in mid innings.
In reply, despite dismissing the top four batters relatively cheaply, the visitors showed dogged resistance and took the game deep into the last period of play with all results very much a possibility. However, the home team dug deep and Southport Trinity were bowled out for 185 with only a couple of overs of the day’s play left. Pallet finished with figures of 3-52, James Leyland 1-26, James Edgington 1-18, Terry Leaford for 2-34 and Cheetham capped a fine all-round performance with figures of 2-3 from 5 overs. This maintains the team’s position at the top of the table in advance of the visit to second placed Liverpool Cricket club this weekend.
Also on Saturday, Orrell’s third team suffered a frustrating draw in their game away against Maghull. Batting first, stand in skipper Mark Crumpton scored an unbeaten century and with support from Thomas Wilkinson (44) was able to declare on 200-3 from 44.2 overs. Despite making early inroads into the home teams, they were unable to take the wickets required to win the game as Maghull finished on 116-8 from only 38 overs bowled. George Berry took 3-12, Greg Lea 3-35 and Declan O’Shaughnessy 2-15. A frustrating day at the office for the team but one which consolidates their position as second place in the table.
On Sunday, there was only one game as a combined third team (made up of players from across the Saturday third team and the two Sunday teams) welcomed Ormskirk in the Mike Leddy cup first round. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat first but were bowled out for 137 in 34.4 overs. David Haslam took 3-14, Harrison Hurst 2-11 Mo Nizam 1-9, Alfie Berry 1-10, George Berry 1-22 and George Mushahwar 1-19. Orrell cruised to a nine wicket victory in only 27.3 overs on the back of an unbeaten 72 from Mushahwar, 30 from Tom Wilkinson and an unbeaten 27 from Geof Burrows. They now play Ainsdale in the next round.
The previous Thursday evening, another combined third team entertained Southport and Birkdale in the third team T20 cup. Batting first Orrell only made 101-9 from their 20 overs and were indebted to an unbeaten 26 from James Hine and an unbeaten 18 from James such to reach triple figures. The visitors won by 6 wickets in 18.1 overs. Declan O’Shaughnessy (2-15) Alan Moore (1-15) and Greg Lea (1-15) were the Orrell wicket takers