Report and photos: Peter Rogan

Ormskirk won the toss and elected to bat.

The first wicket went cheaply when John Armstrong (1) was bowled with a total of 10 runs on the scoreboard. The loss of that wicket brought in George Lavelle to join Tyler McGladdery and they put on a second wicket stand of 49 runs before McGladdery (33) was caught, when he looked to be set for a long innings.

With George Lavelle on 28* Alex Rankin came in to join him and the runs started to flow steadily at first and then in a flurry when both dominated the bowling. The score moved rapidly on with both players peppering the boundary and running well between the wickets. George played a dominant role and the Rainhill bowlers had no answer as he played every stroke in the book. They also struggled to deal with Alex who was less flamboyant but looked, and was, as steady as a rock.

George looked destined to score his and the Club’s first century of the season and he did not disappoint. On reaching the magic ‘ton’ his achievement was recognised with generous applause from all around the ground.

The partnership was broken with the score on 194 and after George (101) had added one more run to his total he was caught off the bowling of Rainhill’s overseas professional Qaiser Ashraf. His innings, as well as being skilful, was very entertaining and included eight 4s and three 6s.

Alex was 56* when George parted company with him and he was joined by Gary Knight (3*). The new partnership put on 26 runs to take the score to 220-3 when the innings was declared with maximum batting points secured. In the final partnership Alex added 23 runs to his total to leave him on 79* having hit seven 4’s and one 6 in his fine innings. Had not the declaration been made he looked odds-on to go on and make a century.

Scott Lees and Nicky Caunce opened the bowling for Ormskirk and it was Scott who in his spell of 7 overs struck three times to leave Rainhill reeling at 40-3. Things didn’t get much better for the home side as Ryan Maddock, Jamie Barns and Tom Hartley all bowled exceptionally well. Ryan did not take a wicket but the batsmen found him very difficult to get away. He bowled 10 overs and conceded only 28 runs. Tom was as difficult as ever to play and took 3 – 25, while “Mr Reliable” Jamie, in his nine overs, returned figures of 4-18.

The bowlers did their job well to dismiss Rainhill for 114 to give victory to Ormskirk by 106 runs.

There can only be one ‘Man of the Match’ and that accolade could only go to George Lavelle for his excellent century which laid the foundation for the Ormskirk victory.