“UNTOUCHABLE SMITH”
An overcast end to May saw Ormskirk first XI produce a far from dull performance in their demolition of a new looking Northern side full of potential.
Winning the toss, Northerns J Cole decided they would take the new ball and put Matty Glayzers wicket through its paces. Glayzer and his opening partner Ford then set about building a total. Surviving a few minor scares the score ticked along nicely until Matty was caught at bat pad for 15 leaving Ormskirk 48-1. The senior batsmen then did little to support Ford who fell for a crisp 38 leaving the home side at an uncomfortable 66-4. Then some excellent concentration and commitment from Illingworth, the 2 other Glayzers, Griffiths and the seemingly untouchable Smith saw Ormskirk to 203 and Robinson had seen enough. Northern left arm spinner Baer claiming 6-85.
After the break Northerns openers Fletcher and Terry enjoyed an interesting battle with Caunce and especially Griffiths who sent down some lively deliveries having the pair dance around the crease for 14 overs. Griffiths at one point being spoken to by the umpires for his enthusiastic line and length. But all this was to no avail and with the shine disappearing fast from the ball Northern had weathered the storm and were sitting pretty at 68-0, a re-think was required.
Robinson then turned to the increasingly reliable Chris Smith to see if he had the key to unlock the visitors defences. A tidy over followed only spoilt by a half tracker that was dispatched easily to the mid-wicket boundary. The Ormskirk faithful might have been getting nervous at this point but any worries were soon to be put to bed as a quite remarkable spell of bowling was about to bring Northern to their knees. Supported well by Farrell, Smith proceeded to rip out the top of the Northern order reducing them from 68-0 to 73-3. But with Fletcher still chalking up regular boundaries the days work was far from done and the home boys still needed that determination they had shown in the earlier part of the day. With the score on 85 Ormskirks bowlers then took a further 3 wickets and the damage was un-repairable. Opening bowler Caunce then returned to the attack and after a brief flurry of shots Northern were all out for 107. Extras top scoring bar the opening pair and the red hot Smith bagging 6-20 to add to his 32.
Ormskirk should now march on with confidence, knowing that their young side are more than capable of meeting the tough challenges that lie ahead.
