McGladdery century defies Northern

Tyler McGladdery's 102 helps hosts to draw

Northern 266-2 (Jac Kennedy 89, Johnny Browne 63*; Jamie Harrison 1-44)

Rainhill 186-7 (Tyler McGladdery 102, Sam Kershaw 19; Daniel Wilson 4-67) Rainhill (4 pts) drew with Northern (8 pts) Scorecard

Tyler McGladdery hit a run-a-ball 102 as Rainhill denied Northern victory at Victoria Terrace. The in-form batsman recorded his fourth century of the season and has now scored 1,795 runs in all competitions during 2022. McGladdery's century came in Rainhill's response to Northern's challenging total of 266 for 2. Having been put into bat by Rainhill, the visitors' Chris Laker and Jac Kennedy scored steadily against the unfamiliar opening bowling attack of Jamie Harrison and John Ball. The pair added 103 runs before Sam Kershaw made the breakthrough, with Harrison holding the catch to end Laker's valiant innings for 53. Kennedy and new partner Johnny Browne continued to press on and dominated the Rainhill attack. Kennedy looked certain to reach his century, but was denied when Sam Waine held a catch off Harrison's bowling to remove him for 89. Rainhill had no further success with the ball in spite of using seven different bowlers, and Browne (63 not out) and Andrew Clarke (53 not out) guided Northern to 266 for 2 before declaring.

Quincy Titterton took Northern's first wicket of the afternoon when Mike Rotheram was caught by Chris Laker for 12. Sam Kershaw, whose own form this season has been impressive, came in at number 3 and he and McGladdery took the score on to 70 before the next wicket fell. Laker bowled Kershaw for 19, but it was the introduction of Daniel Wilson into the attack that created difficulties for Rainhill. Captain Ben Edmundson (10) and Rob McKeown (17) were both able to stay with McGladdery and build promising starts, but on each occasion Wilson struck and was to finally claim the prize wicket of McGladdery himself.

James Clarke and Richie Forsyth were both out for 6, but runs continued to flow from McGladdery's bat, even if the target was well beyond Rainhill. McGladdery showed tremendous control and looked unmovable but, just after reaching his century, he was finally caught by Liam Grey to give Wilson his fourth wicket of the afternoon. While McGladdery was aided by several team-mates occupying the crease for long periods, there is little doubt that his epic, defiant stand denied Northern the win. Rainhill will conclude their season away to champions Wallasey on Saturday - a game in which McGladdery will no doubt wish to once again demonstrate his pugnacity.

Umpires: Peter Crook, Craig Parkinson

Scorers: Andrew Finney, Paul Delve