Ormskirk 3rds show character despite losing to Bootle
Despite losing by 45 runs Ormskirk 3rds can feel pleased with the way in which they both conducted themselves and performed during a difficult day on the back field; in fact gaining seven points from the game could well prove crucial come the end of the season. Choosing to bowl first, Ormskirk started well with Taylor bowling Bootle’s opening batsman with the 4th ball of the innings and although Bootle then played positively on a demanding pitch, Ormskirk’s attack stuck to their task with great spirit. Michael Dixon and Alex Baldwin both supported the aggressive veteran Garry Taylor admirably. The skipper introduced himself into the attack to provide some probing medium pace ‘dobblers’ but the innings was wound up with the introduction of the Baillie spin twins with dad taking the glory with 4 for 14 including three in four balls. Clever thinking from Mark to bowl the worse ever hat-trick ball to avoid having to buy a jug. Highlight of the innings was Garry’s attempt at trying to intimidate the batsmen by nodding his head as well as giving the very meanest of stares after bowling a bouncer. Credit though goes to Garry for yet again bowling his heart out for the team with a mammoth spell that leaves him with 20 wickets so far this season. Anyway, all this left Ormskirk chasing 187 on a difficult wicket but they started well with Perry and Pickett showing a fair degree of composure in very trying circumstances. However, when Pickett was given out caught behind (and trust me, Snicks always ‘walks’) and Dan Baillie and Jack followed soon afterwards, Ormskirk were in, as they say, a bit of a pickle. John Dixon was incredibly unlucky to be bowled off pretty much everything on his body and young Dunn was unlucky to be given out. Both Mark Baillie and Ste Quirk then batted well but the star of the innings was Lawro with a tremendous innings of 45 not out which was full of gritty determination, resilience and glorious shots including, to the skipper’s own amazement, some on the leg side (whatever next?); his composure and choice of shot selection were exemplary. When last man Garry was bowled to complete the win for Bootle, we were all deprived of the spectacle of the opening bowler (and the batsman that verbally abused GT in the first innings) of fulfilling his promise to ‘knock him out’. A defeat, yes, but the 3rds showed a great deal spirit and determination in achieving valuable points in very trying circumstances.