Ormskirk open their defence of Premier League Championship in style

Ormskirk opened the season defending the Premier League Championship with a game at Brook Lane against Colwyn Bay. On paper, it looked to be a tough opening game but as it turned out it was a stroll in the park for the reigning Champions as they won by a convincing 195 runs.

Nicky Caunce lost the toss and to everyone’s surprise, not least Nicky’s, the visitor’s skipper decided to field. Had Nicky won the toss he would certainly have opted to bat and so he was secretly happy that, having lost the toss, his counterpart skipper had done his job for him

Andy Baybutt and Alex Rankin opened the batting for Ormskirk and put on an opening stand of 38 before Andy (13) was bowled round his legs bringing in Josh Bohannon to join Alex.

A further 9 runs were added when Alex (27) nicked one behind into the grateful hands of wicket keeper Littler. He had made an excellent start as a First XI opener proving the value of nurturing youngsters through the junior ranks to become Premier League players.

The next partnership of Josh Bohannon and George Lavelle was a joy to watch for the spectators but not quite so pleasant for the visiting players and supporters.

They turned on the style and swung the game totally in favour of Ormskirk with a scintillating stand of 160 runs. It was broken with the score on 207 when Josh (85) was adjudged to be out lbw to the bowling of Ryan Holtby.

George (83) was looking to be odds on to getting the first Brook Lane century of the season when he misjudged a full-length ball from Holtby and was bowled.

The shortest partnership of the innings, between Gary Knight and Ian Robinson followed the loss of George’s wicket. On the 5th ball he received, Ian (0) was bowled without troubling the scorer to leave the score on 221-5.

New signing Ryan Maddock joined Gary to take the score to 252 -5 declared. Gary was undefeated on 20 while Ryan (11*) looked totally comfortable and played out the innings leaving the distinct impression that he was a very good signing.

The batsmen had done their bit in scoring a massive 252 in just 45 overs and it was now up to the bowlers to do their bit and they didn’t disappoint.

Nicky Caunce took the first wicket when he trapped opener Morris (6). There was no doubt that Nicky was confident of seeing the umpire’s finger raised by the sheer volume of the appeal which must have been clearly audible from Ormskirk Town Centre!

New all-rounder Ryan Maddock was the next to take a wicket when he had Littler (15) well caught behind by George Lavelle. Worse was to come for the visitors as the Ormskirk pace bowlers had them in a state of disarray. Wickets started to tumble. Before they knew what had happened to them they were all out for a meagre 57 runs in just 25 overs. The damage had been done by bowlers Ryan Maddock (4 wickets for 18 runs), Alex Mason (2 wickets for 0 runs), Scott Lees (2 wickets for 10 runs), Tom Hartley (1 wicket for 4 runs) and Nicky Caunce (1 wicket for 17 runs).

While the bowling was excellent so was the fielding with George Lavelle taking 3 catches, Gary Knight with 2 catches (one of which was totally spectacular) and Josh Bohannon with a well taken catch at first slip.

It was a great all team performance but the ‘Man of the Match’ award goes to George Lavelle for his superb innings and his masterful display behind the stumps culminating with a lightning fast stumping off the bowling of Tom Hartley. Well done George, well done everyone.