Second XI Roundup Week 1 and brief Week 2 highlights
Date: 2nd May 2022
Five Centurians
2nd XI Round Up – 23rd April 2022 (Week 1)
The opening round of the Premier Division's new campaign featured a clash between the two second eleven heavyweights as champions Wallasey hosted Ormskirk. The visitors won the toss and chose to bat with George Politis laying an early mark with his maiden century at this level, falling for 101 before becoming one of Stephen Williams five victims which was his first five wicket haul. Sam Hepke added support with 38 with solid contributions elsewhere, allowing Ormskirk to declare on 236. Graham with an unbeaten 40 helped the home side bat out for a draw.
Most successful chase of the day came from Lytham as Myles Child with an defeated 102 aided by Cartmell (34) saw the home team overcome Liverpool's challenging 208 for 4. New recruits Tushar Jashnani 92 and Vivek Kothari 67 not out leading the way. A similar tale at Moor Park as visitors Sefton Park, thanks to 68 not our from Robert Supria and 65 from George Lee, overturned a target of 184 for the loss of 4 wickets. Benjamin Sloan with his 17th fifty (54 no) and Biddlecombe 47 providing the foundation of the Northern innings.
The division's other winners were Formby as opener's George Scanlan (55) and Chris Jones (54) enjoyed a (or near) hundred run opening partnership with Evans adding 31 as Formby passed 200. Orrell's reply stuttered as only Leaford 35 offered resistance as overseas recruit Tom Stacy claimed an opening day 5 for 25. The remaining two games ended in stalemate, the closest in terms of scores was Southport & Birkdale's score of 174 for 7 led by Mark Fletcher's 67 and Baybutt's 45, as they finished 23 runs shy of Colwyn Bay's declaration of 197. Spillane 42 and Jones 45 no. Newton's determined resistance saw them hold off Birkenhead Park with Dan Jordan's 55 the main contribution of the game.
Three batsmen in Division One recorded opening day centuries. Top scorer was Old Xaverian's Joseph Lyons (117), hitting his first century since the Merseyside Competition days of 2009, helping his side to a 66 run victory over Firwood Bootle. Four players replied with 20s but none bettered 22. Robson with 4 wickets. Jack Hayes also secured a maiden ton (102) together with Glover's 46 helping his Leigh to victory at Wavertree. Callum Jacob's best score of 77 gave the home some hope but Gregory and Smith with four wickets each, secured the points.
Rainford's Ravi Mistry also reached three figures 107 no, again after a lengthy gap (his first since 2012) but Southport Trinity, thanks Scott Francis' 72, finished with the last pair at the wicket to thwart Rainford. Four wickets for Birkett. New Brighton shared the task of chasing Wigan's total with every batsmen reaching at least 9, led by 35 from While. Bailey with 47 and Power 33 the best for Wigan with Andrew Evans claiming 5 for 17.
Spring View's bowlers restricted opponents Rainhill (Rotherham 27) and Mulvey with 41 no saw them home with ease. Thomas Doggett with his best score of 75, before being run out as he looked well set, was one of two players to reach double figures (captain Liam Evans Ford 40 the other) in Northop Hall's score of 185. Liam then crowned a good day with a career best bowling return of 6 for 29 as Fleetwood Hesketh failed to offer much resistance.
In Division Two, Highfield's opening pair of overseas player Lachlan Ballingall with 75 and Lee Martinus career best of 92, made short work of chasing down St Helens Town total of 186, with an unbroken partnership. Saints innings was built around 68 (his best since 2014) from Daniel Murphy and 50 from Ian Huyton with Martlew taking four for 41. A different tale at Maghull as Josh Garside claimed his first five wicket return, as Prestatyn, showing early season rustiness perhaps, were dismissed cheaply with just two players reaching double figures before succumbing to a ten wicket defeat in under 7 overs.
Norley Hall and Sutton (St Helens) featured in a high scoring draw with David Critchley's 72 and 30s each from Cornish and Duell allowing the Wigan side to reach 225. Sutton's innings was more evenly spread with Thunder's Nat Brown 45, and Heyes 42 leading the way as three others made important contributions despite Chris McLoughlin's best efforts with a 5 for 51 return. Parkfield Liscard were unable to raise a side.
Week 2 Highlights (details to follow later in the week).
Premier – Formby are the only side to win both opening games,
Northern's Tweedle with 95, McGreehin 80, David Kelly 77, David Miles 70 and Martin Williams 63 for a successful Wallasey, Dan Jordan claimed another fifty. Holliday with 55 and 5 wickets for S&B. Vis taking 7 for 105, Australian Stacy going one better than last week with 6 as does Martyn Farrell, Moorhouse and Tom Sutcliffe also with 5.
Division One – three sides are two from two (Leigh, New Brighton and Spring View).
Robert Dix of Wavertree with the batting honours with 108, Australian Luke Terry 84*, Wigan's openers each hit 80, Hurst 83, Fairhurst 81, Glover 77*, Francis' second successive 50 (67), Rose 64, Griffiths 58, Howard Bamber 56*, Mistry continues his early season form with 53, a solid team effort from Rainhill.; Lewis Bamber 6 for 17, Harrison and Jackman both claim 5.
Division Two – Highfield (courtesy of Parkfield's failure to raise a side again) are the only side to show two wins.
Brown with 72, Jamie Greener 52 and 6 for 43 on a day where the bowlers made the batters struggle. 5 wickets for McLoughlin again. (no details yet available from St Helen's)
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