Rainhill 118 all out (Simon Brown 44*, Paul Millar 25; Kieran Grieson 3-4)
Old Xaverians 119-2 (Andrew Rose 65, Guy Tilby 22*; Nathan Lawler 1-30)
Old Xaverians Win Match Scorecard
In the chill of the early season, Rainhill Cricket Club’s second XI embarked on their inaugural match of the campaign against Old Xaverians CC, held at the grounds of St. Francis Xavier’s School.
Rainhill batted first and they faced the disciplined attack of Old Xaverians. The match marked a significant moment for young talent Finn Millar, making his senior debut alongside newcomers Darren Tyms and Sam Hopkins.
Rainhill’s batting lineup faced early setbacks, as Hopkins departed for a duck, caught off Ian Formby’s delivery. The struggle persisted, but amidst the collapse, Simon Brown found a steadfast partner in Paul Millar, who contributed a crucial 25 off 34 deliveries, injecting some stability into the innings. Additionally, Nathan Lawler proved resilient, benefiting from a fortunate reprieve when he was caught, but the delivery was deemed a no ball, granting him a second chance. Lawler capitalised on this opportunity to hang around for 44 deliveries. Brown’s stoic 44 not out was complemented by these valuable contributions, yet the overall support from the team fell short, leaving Rainhill with a modest total to defend.
Old Xaverians’ bowlers exploited the conditions effectively, with Kieran Grierson leading the charge, claiming three crucial wickets for only 4 runs. Rainhill’s innings concluded at a modest 118 all out, with the team facing an uphill battle to defend their total.
In response, Old Xaverians began steadily, with opener Andrew Rose leading the charge with a composed 65, well supported by Nicholas Weeks and Will Rainford-Clarke. Despite a minor hiccup losing Weeks, they chased down Rainhill’s target with relative ease, reaching 119 for the loss of just two wickets in 29.4 overs.
Rainhill’s bowling attack struggled to break through, with Nathan Lawler managing the solitary dismissal. The team’s efforts fell short as Old Xaverians secured victory, underscoring the challenges awaiting Rainhill in the season ahead.
With the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition now in full swing, the second XI will need to regroup swiftly to bounce back from this defeat and set their sights on future triumphs.
Umpires: John McCreanney, John Veacock;
Scorers: Aidan Nuttall, David Crossley
Match Report: Kerry Lawler