Rainhill CC Academy 4XI 205-6 dec (44.1) (Ball 53*, Ram 38; Nation 2-23)
Prescot & Odyssey CC 3XI 177 All Out (43.1) (Morrison 76; Sirikonda 4-33)
On a bright but windy Sunday afternoon at Rainhill, the Club’s youngest senior side took to the field — a team of ten under-18s led by 15-year-old Nathan Lawler, aiming to secure a fourth straight win and preserve a flawless start to their 2025 campaign. Against a seasoned Prescot & Odyssey 3rd XI, the Rainhill Academy side showed skill, discipline, and remarkable composure beyond their years to clinch another deserved victory.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat, Rainhill got off to a fluent start. Nathan Lawler and James Clarke opened confidently, rotating the strike with maturity and putting pressure on the field. Their 50-run partnership came up in just over eight overs before both fell in quick succession, having laid a solid foundation — Clarke with a crisply struck 35, and Lawler a composed 29.
Lawler’s dismissal brought Ayaan Maheshwari to the crease, but with momentum stalling, it wasn’t until Sid Ram arrived when Clarke got out, that the innings found fluency again. Sid and Harry Ball began to rebuild — working the ball into gaps, rotating the strike cleverly, and running with purpose. Ball, batting with composure and increasing confidence, brought up his maiden senior fifty with a crisp boundary — a moment savoured by teammates and supporters alike. Rainhill’s captain eventually declared at 205 for 6, a total built on partnerships, patience, and well-timed acceleration.
Prescot’s reply began cautiously, but just as the contest was heating up, the skies darkened and the heavens opened. A torrential downpour sent the Rainhill fielders scrambling — covers were dragged out in double-time, with players eager to protect the pitch and preserve every minute of play. The delay lasted about 20 minutes, but once play resumed, Rainhill wasted no time in regaining their rhythm.
Finnlee Millar bowled with trademark control and picked up the first wicket, while Tejas Sirikonda tore through the middle order with four scalps in an outstanding ten-over spell. Jack Tyms chipped in with a crucial breakthrough, and Nathan Lawler added two of his own.
In the field, Rainhill were sharp — Aaron Brennan, playing his first academy game, was valuable in the field, and April Jones made a memorable contribution, staying calm under pressure to take a well-judged catch. As Prescot inched towards a draw, with just three overs remaining, Lawler turned to Finlay Venables. The young left arm off spinner responded in style, removing two tail-enders in quick succession — the final wicket falling with just 8 balls left.
It was a team victory through and through. Every player contributed, from Ball’s milestone knock to April’s safe hands, from Sid’s steady presence to Tejas’ fiery spell. Four wins from four and still unbeaten — Rainhill’s Academy team continue to grow, not just in results, but in confidence, unity, and character. This is a side playing for each other, and it’s showing.
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