Ormskirk CC 118 All Out (27.3) (Graham 61; Venables 8-57)
Rainhill CC Academy 4XI 120-1 (19.4) (Lawler 75*, Ram 18; Hayes 1-29)
Under a brooding sky and with rain never far away, Rainhill’s 4th XI — the ever-impressive Academy side — extended their perfect run to nine wins from nine, dispatching Ormskirk’s 4th XI with a clinical performance that showcased both individual brilliance and collective control.
Bowling first, Rainhill quickly found their rhythm. Finlay Venables followed up his five-wicket haul from just a fortnight ago with something even more special — an extraordinary 8 for 57. It was a 14 over spell full of energy and accuracy, as he dismantled Ormskirk almost single-handedly. Every breakthrough seemed to lift the side, and with Finn Millar and April Jones keeping things tight at the other end and Millar claiming a deserved wicket of his own, the hosts made regular inroads. In the field, hands were safe and sharp — Dave Brennan taking two smart catches, with Harry and Keiran Rose each taking one apiece to keep the pressure right on. Despite a spirited 61 from Ormskirk’s Harry Graham, the visitors were dismissed for 118 in 27.3 overs.
In reply, Rainhill’s top order looked unflustered. Nathan Lawler, calm and composed as ever, led from the front with a commanding unbeaten 75. It was an innings that mixed timing with touch, pushing him past the landmark of 1,000 runs for the club this season — 701 of those at senior level. After the early loss of Freddie Foulkes, Sid Ram joined Lawler, and the pair began building what looked like an inevitable path to victory.
However, a clap of thunder halted proceedings, and the rain that followed forced players off the field for nearly an hour, just 55 runs shy of the target. When play resumed, there was no sense of panic. Lawler and Ram picked up where they had left off, guiding Rainhill to 120 for 1 in just 19.4 overs, sealing a commanding win with composure.
With nine wins from nine and a firm grip on the top of the league table, this Academy team continues to impress — full of flair, fight, and togetherness. Venables’ eight-fer will rightly grab headlines, but as always with the Academy XI, this was a team performance from a side growing in confidence and quality every week.
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