Big win ensures Ormskirk secure runners-up position

Sep 20 2012 by Our Correspondent, Ormskirk Advertiser

ORMSKIRK finished the season in style with a comprehensive eight wicket win over Maghull at Brook Lane.

Maghull won the toss and elected to bat. Ormskirk claimed an early run out before Maghull opener Sabah Ghaus took advantage of some wayward bowling, riding his luck to score quickly and share a 52 run partnership with Jack Snowdon, whose innings was ended after being bowled by Farrell for 8. Farrell soon stuck again, with Gavin Griffiths taking a fine catch to dismiss Patel – leaving Maghull at 85-3 off just 14 overs.

The introduction of Jamie Barnes into the attack to partner Farrell helped stem the run rate and this soon yielded more wickets for the Brook Lane outfit. Barnes took four middle order wickets, with his fourth wicket – that of Ghaus, for a hard hit 85 (off just 95 balls) – coming courtesy of a fine catch from wicketkeeper Gary Knight – a dismissal that left Maghull floundering after their positive start, at 134-7. A partnership of 27 between Greg Gillespie and Maghull’s overseas player Daniel Reid was concluded thanks to a run out from Johnny Armstrong before Barnes then took the final two wickets, clean bowling Hewitt and Tonge to claim figures of 6-57 as Maghull were bowled out for 184 off 47.1 overs.

Barnes’ recorded career best figures and a first 1st XI five wicket-haul

Ormskirk made light work of the chase, racing to the target in just 31 overs, at a run rate of 5.81 runs per over. Skipper Ian Robinson continued his good form with the bat, scoring 42 off a mere 35 balls, and John Armstrong scored equally quickly, before being dismissed for 58 (46 balls). Armstrong’s knock took him comfortably past the landmark 500 league runs for the season, becoming only the second Ormskirk player (after Robinson) to reach that landmark this season.

Opener Andy Baybutt carried his bat through the innings to register an undefeated 76 – his third half century in four innings – to ease Ormskirk to their target.

The result means the 1st XI finished second in the ECB Premier League with 322 points, their fourth consecutive season of finishing in the top two of the league and only ten points short of their league winning tally of 2011. Lytham finished as champions while early season favourites Northern and Leigh had to settle for 3rd and 4th respectively.

A YOUNG second XI lost heavily away to Maghull; however they are still promoted in to the Premier League as Champions.

Maghull were bowled out for 177 in just 36 overs but the twos were disappointingly bowled out for 87, with only Jack Perry (16), Mike Jones (25) and Rob Jones (15) reaching double figures.

THE 3rd XI needed five points at home to Birchfield Park to be sure of staying in the 3rd XI Premier Division.

They gained two of these points with the bat, as the were bowled out for 128. David Whittaker’s 65 was the highlight, with valuable contributions coming from Michael Lawrenson (24) and Matthew Leigh (21).

Birchfield Park reached their target, but crucially for the loss of six wickets – meaning Ormskirk got the required three points with the ball to stave off relegation.

George Perry and Dan Bailie took two crucial early wickets, and skipper Mark Bailie claimed another. With three wickets still to get, George Perry and Dan Bailie were reintroduced into the attack and together they claimed the wickets required. Perry snared two, finishing with figures of (3-36) and Bailie claimed one more, to sign off for the season with (2-22).

The result means the thirds avoid relegation by a single point.