ORMSKIRK v FURNESS National KO Match report 24-6-18

Ormskirk progress through to the last 16 of the National Club Championship

Having won the toss and electing to bat, the story of the Furness innings was one of steady opening and middle-order batting partnerships and a tail-end collapse.

The visitors never looked as though they were going to set a very challenging total to chase and this was not because of poor batting but rather because of some fine bowling and fielding.

All five bowlers played their parts with Scott Lees (3-19), Alex Mason (3-51), Ryan Maddock (2-36) and Nicky Caunce (1-30) among the wickets. While Tom Hartley did not take a wicket, he enjoyed a great spell of containing the batsmen by conceding only 19 runs off his 8 overs.

In the field five catches were taken. The one to dismiss the Furness top scorer, Nathan Waterson (37), was taken by Ian Robinson and was a quite an outstanding effort to evoke gasps of amazement from the spectators and not least the unfortunate batsman.

In the 40th over Furness were all out for 158.

In reply Andy Baybutt and Ian Robinson set a sound basis by putting on a partnership of 68 runs before Andy (36) was bowled. This brought Alex Rankin into the fray.

Ian, well supported by Alex, took total control and went on to make a score of 69, to include twelve 4s and one 6. At the loss of his wicket the total stood at 134-2 and the rest was easy as Alex (30*), and George Lavelle (16*) cruised past the winning post.

The winning of an Area Final of a National Competition by a margin of 8 wickets was a great team performance, highlighted by Ian Robinson’s virtuoso batting performance and his unforgettable catch which, he confessed after the game, even surprised himself.