Report: Peter Rogan

On Sunday Ormskirk travelled to Bradshaw CC to play in the area finals of the National T20 Cup returning as area champions having comfortably beaten Chorley CC and Lostock CC.

In the first game against Chorley, Ormskirk’s U19 England International, George Lavelle, sparkled with the bat to score 69 runs which included eight 4s and four 6s - well supported by the other batsmen the innings closed at 218-6.

It was a ‘big ask’ to expect Chorley to pass that score and their batsmen fell well short with innings closing at 156-9. The main architect of their downfall was Tom Hartley who took 4-24 off his allotted four overs.

The deciding game against Lostock CC looked as though it could be problematic because in their first game Lostock had amassed 233 runs to leave their opponents in their wake, replying with 162 all out. David Flanagan, the Lostock opener, scored an ominous 132 to leave the Ormskirk bowlers feeling that their final opponents were to be no push over.

Lostock batted first in the final and the threat of previous century maker Flanagan was removed when Ryan Maddock had him caught with only 2 runs on the board. With the main threat back in the dressing room the Ormskirk bowlers made life difficult for the batsmen and the innings closed on 139-9; Ryan Maddock and Jack Snowdon both grabbed three wickets.

The Ormskirk batsman would be expected to comfortably score more than 139 and so they did. Ian Robinson (43) and George Lavelle (57*) hammered the bowling and after only 12 overs victory was secured.

Ormskirk were worthy winners of the Area Finals and were far superior to the other three teams taking part.

Next it’s on to play Nantwich CC (away) for a place in the National Final day to be held at Derbyshire CCC.