Merseyside Sports and Cultural Club 151 all out (Saibharghav Pokala 41; Jack Tyms 3-31, Finn Millar 2-14)
Rainhill Academy XI 135 all out (Nathan Lawler 38; Rifaquat Khwaja 4-34 )
Under the scorching sun in Bebington, Rainhill CC’s Academy XI squared off against Merseyside Sports and Cultural Club – Sunday 1st XI in a gripping encounter.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, MSCC set a formidable target of 151 runs for Rainhill to chase. Saibharghav Pokala led the charge with a spirited 41 runs, ably supported by Rifaquat Khwaja and Aditya Gharat.
Rainhill’s bowlers showcased their mettle, with Jack Tyms and Finn Millar delivering standout performances. Jack Tym’s took 3 wickets from his seven overs, and Finn Millar’s three maidens and exceptional economy rate of just 1.75 proved instrumental in stifling the opposition’s scoring opportunities. Additionally, Amber Bowie’s bowling spell posed a tough challenge for the batters to hit, further adding pressure on Merseyside.
Nathan Lawler took the wicket of the Merseyside captain, who was batting at a run a ball, caught by Jack Tyms, which swung the momentum in Rainhill’s favour.
In response, Rainhill’s batters showed determination, led by Nathan Lawler’s gritty 38 runs. Noteworthy was Tejas Sirikonda and Sid Ram hanging around, providing crucial support to Nathan as they faced the relentless Merseyside bowling attack.
Despite the valiant efforts of Rainhill’s batters and bowlers, the team fell agonisingly short of the target, bowled out for 135 runs in 43.3 overs. Sixteen runs short of a win, and with just 3 balls remaining in the match, hopes of salvaging a draw were dashed, highlighting the intensity of the battle till the very end.
Despite the narrow loss, Rainhill’s 4th XI Academy team displayed resilience and fighting spirit throughout the match. As Rainhill reflects on this intense battle, they remain focused on improving and bouncing back stronger.