3rd Team Round up

3rds beat Birchfield Park and compete well against top teams.

The Ormskirk 3rd team’s last three games have been typical of their season in general; good individual performances and excellent efforts in the field but with mixed results. The fact that a staggering 21 players have been used over just three games highlights the problems that the team have faced in recent weeks.

Against Birchfield Park Lawro marshalled his troops expertly to help bowl the opposition out for just 76 with Garry Taylor bowling superbly to finish with 7 for 15. The secret of his success being his base camp at fine leg that consists of a huge bath towel and a mutli-pack of energy drinks. After losing early wickets, Owain Stratton batted well in difficult circumstances to finish with 38 to help Ormskirk win by 7 wickets.

The following week the 3rds achieved a creditable draw against second place New Brighton who batted first and reached 180 for 5 (Mike Taylor 2 for 30). In reply, Ormskirk reached 156 for 8 (Pickett 59, Baldwin 50 and Dixon 28).

Although the 3rds lost to league leaders Liverpool on Saturday, they again put in a spirited chase. Liverpool scored 182 for 6 (Goulden 108) off 45 overs.  Alex Berry bowled intelligently but with little luck, Garry again put in a big effort and Mike Dixon took two wickets. Unfortunately an opportunity to dismiss Goulden early in his innings went begging when he hit what would have been a straight forward catch for Hacky at mid on. However, Matthew got his feet tangled up in the 6 inch long grass, tripped and landed face down as the ball landed agonisingly a yard short of him. (A classic…who says slapstick comedy isn’t funny?) As the chase started, only Owen Griffiths batted comfortably in his excellent cameo innings until Graeme Ford came in to play a classic ‘Fordy knock’ of 49 that included 3 sixes and 5 fours. It was a particularly impressive and brave knock by Graeme as he resumed his innings after having retired hurt following a nasty blow to the bridge of his nose. So, three weeks that have produced a win, a loss and a draw but a spirited performance in each game.

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3rds efforts go unrewarded in weekend double defeat

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1st team round up

Echo KO Friday 16th July

There was less joy at Brook Lane were rain stopped play after 4.5 overs of Ormskirk's innings with them having scored 26-0 in chasing a target of 102 set by Bootle. Bootle had scored 101-8 with  Simon Kerrigan taking 3-24. After the pitch was deemed playable at approximately 8.20pm David Snellgrove successfully argued there would not be enough time to conclude the game due to light and to the disappointment of 100+ supporters the game was called off. A somewhat frustrating, unbelievable and disappointing decision for the home side. The date for a replay has yet to be agreed.

Lytham away Saturday 17th July

Ormskirk appeared rejuvenated on Friday and this they took with them to Lytham; Lytham took the not difficult decision away from Robinson and invited Ormskirk to Bat. Soon the familiar trail of Batsmen to and from the Pavilion took place but with one exception, a superb knock of 64 by Johnny Armstrong on a difficult track against quality bowling gave Ormskirk an outside chance. Disappointingly a couple of the Ormskirk players had got in and lost their wickets with some injudicious shots. However on a green track Ormskirk posted 106; 20 or 30 short of a winning target or so we spectators thought.

With a new spirit about the team; Caunce and Griffiths took the new ball and made inroads with 3 vital early wickets.  With Kerrigan coming in to the attack and his determination being evident things were not going to be easy. Lytham pulled away slighty to 70 for 6 but with Caunce back into the attack from the Railway end momentum started to swing Ormskirk's way. No Balls were a problem for Caunce ( popping crease variety) but together with his Lancashire colleague the pair cleaned up the tail of Lytham.  Their figures were  Caunce 5-43 and Kerrigan 4-14 . A superb game of cricket to watch and hopefully the start of more wins as this game marked the second half of the season. Ormskirk won by 9 runs adding 21 valuable points.

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