U-13s make winning start to new season
Youngsters earn 146 run victory at Maghull
Rainhill CC's Under 13s team
Rainhill 169-2 (16 overs)
Maghull 24-5 (16 overs)
Rainhill’s u13 team made a fantastic start to the league campaign, with a resounding 146 run win at Maghull. For the season opener so early in the year, both team managers agreed on a shortened format of 16 overs per team and, after winning the toss, Maghull put Rainhill into bat.
Maghull’s side had a majority of players just graduating from the u11’s pairs format of the game and came up against an altogether more developed group in their Rainhill counterparts. The visitors' opening pair of Stevie Pennington and newcomer Oliver Wallis really hit the ground running, scoring freely against Maghull’s bowling attack.
After the latest Covid-19 lockdown, we are all working our way back into recreational cricket and an oversight from both team managers meant that Stevie went beyond the league-imposed retirement cap of 30 runs per player and was allowed to make an unbeaten 50 before being clapped off the field. With nine 4’s Stevie showed he has lost none of his timing and strength in the break from competitive play.
Famed big-hitter, Andrew Fairclough, joined Oliver at the crease and within 3 overs had hit three 6s and three 4s to retire not out on 31. Maghull players were heard to suggest Andrew must have been in “year 21” at school such is his towering stature and the quite ridiculous 6 he launched into the trees at square leg.
Oliver also retired not out on 30 after an innings containing five 4’s and a number of measured strokes, while Ollie Unsworth showed his power on his way to 23 before being bowled by Matthew Campbell.
A mix up led to Jack Tyms being run out for 1 which left Kieran Rose and Freddie Foulkes to complete the innings and bring Rainhill’s total to an astonishing 169 for 2 from 16 overs.
Rainhill’s opening bowlers, Harrys Green and Ball, both bowled wicket maidens in their first overs and gave away only one run each in their second, showing just how difficult the game would be for Maghull. Freddie Foulkes and Jack Tyms paired up to bowl the next set of overs keeping the runs tight and the pressure very squarely on Maghull. Jack was nearly rewarded with a hat-trick after taking the wicket of Matthew Campbell, caught-and bowled, and then clean-bowling Rowan. With another wicket in his next over Jack finished with figures of 3 for 2 runs from 2 overs.
Leo Brougham, McKenzie Henderson, Oliver Wallis and Stevie Pennington completed the next 8 overs for only 16 runs and although Maghull finished on only 24 runs for 5 wickets, Maghull’s coach rightly voiced his pride that the young side were not bowled out, with Finn and Aiden in particular able to block out some great bowling and make some runs.
Given they have not played together for such a long time Rainhill’s u13 side were cohesive, vocal and sharp in backing up. Although there will be sterner tests ahead, on this first showing they are a competitive and balanced group with plenty to offer.
Team:
Stevie Pennington (captain)
Oliver Wallis
Andrew Fairclough
Ollie Unsworth
Kieran Rose
Jack Tyms
Freddie Foulkes
Harry Green
McKenzie Henderson
Harry Ball
Leo Brougham Many thanks to Craig Brougham for the match report.