Rainhill CC Academy 4th XI – 2025 Season Report
Rainhill’s Academy 4th XI produced a season that will be remembered for years to come – unbeaten in all completed matches, league champions with games to spare, and a side made up almost entirely of juniors who showed maturity well beyond their years.
Now in only their second year, huge credit goes to Paul Millar, who brought this Academy team together and created the environment they’ve thrived in. This season, Nathan Lawler was trusted with the captaincy and led the team with confidence, well supported by his teammates throughout. This group are more than just teammates – they’re friends, and their camaraderie has been second to none.
Over 13 completed league fixtures, Rainhill recorded 12 wins and 1 draw. Two further matches were conceded to them by opposition sides, and two were lost to weather. The record books will show 14 victories from 17 scheduled fixtures, but the real story was in how they played: calmly, confidently, and as a close-knit team. Each week, someone different stepped up, and by the end of the season, every single player had made a clear contribution.
The Opening Statement
It all began with a hammering of Bootle at Rainhill CC’s home ground, Victoria Terrace. Rainhill racked up 261 before declaring. Ethan Powell’s hundred, Sid Ram’s 59, and contributions throughout the order set the tone. The response? Bootle skittled for 27. Jack Tyms led the demolition with 4 for 17, and the 2025 campaign was up and running.
Early Dominance and Big Chases
Rainhill stayed dominant in the opening run of fixtures. At home to Whitefield, they chased down a modest total with Nathan Lawler top scoring. Mossley Hill away saw Lawler fire 85 not out off just 48 balls, with Sid Ram again reliable in support. Rainhill hunted down the 129-run target inside 19 overs.
Prescot at home saw Harry Ball strike a solid half-century, supported by Tejas Sirikonda with 4 for 33.
Southport Trinity came next and brought one of the most dominant all-round displays: Lawler’s 141 and Freddie Foulkes’ unbeaten 55 led Rainhill to 238 before a declaration. Southport had no answer.
Lawler Leads the Line
Lawler’s contributions were relentless throughout the year. He ended the season with 685 runs at an average of 85.63 and a strike rate of 126.15. He struck three hundreds (141, 108*, 103) and three fifties. With the ball, he also claimed 23 wickets at 10.17, including 6 for 14 against Newton-le-Willows. His all-round consistency gave the side confidence from the top.
Control with the Ball
Finlay Venables and Finnlee Millar formed the backbone of the bowling attack. Venables ended with 33 wickets at 8.88, including 8 for 57 against Ormskirk – the best individual return of the season. He took three five-fors and offered consitent control.
Millar, meanwhile, took 29 wickets at 7.17, with three five-wicket hauls and an economy rate of just 2.58. He also added 160 runs with the bat, including a quickfire 61 in the title-clinching game against Whitefield. His all-round growth this season has been one one to watch.
Stepping Up in Key Moments
Sid Ram made 167 runs at 41.75 and anchored innings when quick wickets fell. His 59 against Bootle helped set up a big score, and his ability help build partnerships made a real difference.
Freddie Foulkes kept wicket throughout the season, claiming 5 catches and 2 stumpings. He also scored 128 runs and played a key role opening the batting. His 55* against Southport was a mature, well-paced innings.
Keiran Rose added 102 runs (including a 59) and was a key presence in the field – his 7 catches the most in the side. Quick to the ball, constantly alert, and applying pressure with his intensity.
Owen Morrissey added 106 runs, often in gritty circumstances. He also contributed a run out and a sharp catch, his fielding improving steadily through the season.
April Jones often stepped up during pressure moments and delivered. Against Sefton Park, she had a standout moment: a full-length diving catch at long on that not only stunned the opposition (and her team mates) but also secured Venables his five-wicket haul.
Maddie Rotheram’s highlight came against New Brighton – a game Rainhill won easily, bowing the opposition out for 46. Rotheram took 3 for 11 and added 37 with the bat.
Jack Tyms opened the bowling regularly and took 8 wickets, including 4 for 17 against Bootle in the first match. He was always quick in the field too, covering ground well and backing up the bowlers
Tejas Sirikonda picked up 15 wickets at an average of 10.20, including figures of 4 for 33 against Prescot. A consistently reliable performer with the ball, he also contributed in the field with 4 catches.
Ayaan Maheshwari featured in several matches, bowling tidy spells and playing his part in the field. His best return was 1 for 2.
Clinching the Title
It was away at Whitefield where the title was officially sealed. Needing six points, Rainhill declared at 278 for 5 in under 35 overs. Lawler hit a rapid 103, Millar 61, Foulkes 35, Khan 26*, and Morrissey 21. Whitefield were bowled out for 61. Millar took 5 for 19, with Sirikonda, Ball and Mishra sharing the rest.
A Draw to Finish
The only game Rainhill didn’t win was the last one – away at Southport Trinity. Posting 155, Rainhill took 9 wickets but couldn’t find the last breakthrough. It was the only minor frustration in a flawless season.
Fielding Makes the Difference
Rainhill’s bowlers bowled teams out for under 100 on five occasions. But it was the fielding that often proved decisive. Rose (7 catches), Millar (7), Lawler (6), Sirikonda (4), Morrissey (catch and run-out), Jones (2), and Rotheram (1) all contributed. The energy in the field, the willingness to throw themselves around, and the refusal to let standards drop made this group difficult to play against.
Gratitude for Squad Support
A season like this doesn’t happen without contributions from beyond the regular XI. At various points when the team were short, several players stepped in to help keep the momentum going. Thanks go to adult players Matt Lawler, Mike Rotheram, Darren Tyms, John Ball, Paul Millar, Ethan Powell, and Dave Brennan, who stepped in on occassionwhen the team was short — offering experience and support.
Likewise, a number of juniors not regularly part of the Academy XI setup played important roles throughout the year — Stevie Pennington, Aaron Brennan, Euan Webster, Motsim Khan, and Shreyas Mishra all stepped up when called upon and added real value.
Final Thoughts
Rainhill’s Academy 4th XI went unbeaten. They played with freedom and discipline, trusted each other, and delivered across all departments. It was a league title earned not just by results, but by attitude.
For a side made up almost entirely of juniors, the maturity was remarkable. For the club, it shows the strength of the youth system. And for the players, it’s a season they’ll never forget.
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