1st Team Fixtures & Results


SOUTHPORT AND BIRKDALE (17/04/2010) 183-8 (43.1) (Aston 58, A Barlow 36, D Skelton 22, Lees 21; Rogan 3-24)v AINSDALE 179-8 (45) (Swift 35, P Causey 20*, Waqar Khan 20; Britton 3-37)Result: Southport and Birkdale won by 2 wickets

Memories of a cold and snowy winter seemed very distant as Ainsdale CC began the 2010 cricket season with a short journey to visit Southport & Birkdale in the Bridging Finance Knockout Trophy

Despite the obvious disappointment of defeat; Ainsdale skipper Ian Cropper can find much to be optimistic about after watching his side’s first performance of the season at Trafalgar Rd. Having won the toss and choosing to bat Ainsdale acquitted themselves well with openers Mal Swift and Steve Cropper putting on 50 for the first wicket. Further solid batting from Waqar Khan, Phil Causey and some fine shots from Tom Prescott amongst others gave Ainsdale a very respectable 179 to defend.  In a game that ebbed and flowed it was not until the penultimate scheduled over of the game that Ainsdale had to accept defeat.  New signing Tony Rogan opened the bowling with Mal Swift and the experienced pair both bowled tightly; Rogan in particular impressed, and will be happy with figures of 3-24 after his first bowling spell for his new club. Worthy of particular mention also was the quality of fielding by Ainsdale, Jack Wardale was in fine form allowing very little to pass him. However, a fine 50 from Dave Aston along with good support from Ainsdale old boy Andy Barlow and wicket keeper batsman Dean Skelton was enough to give the hosts victory. That said Ainsdale never looked out of their depth against a team from a division higher and with the forthcoming arrival of Pakistani fast bowler Nadeem Javed and the return to action of first team players who were missing from this encounter, Ian Cropper has every right to believe that he can lead his side to a league promotion this year.

Journalist – Ian Wainwright

24/04/2010
AINSDALE 89 (25) (Wainwright 12, Jones 12; Clubbe 4-15, Nolan 4-25)v NORTHOP HALL 93-1 (15.2) (Nolan 34*, Barnes 21*)Result: Northop Hall won by 9 wickets

Difficult weekend for understrength Ainsdale sides

 

Mixed fortunes and some frustrations told the tale of this weekend at Ainsdale Cricket Club. Due to an unusually large number of unavailable players the club was forced to field relatively weakened sides throughout. If this becomes a recurring problem it could spell trouble for the forthcoming season. Fortunately there is a pool of talented youngsters to call upon.  However the ideal blend for any side is a mix of youth and experience

 

The first team entertained Northop Hall in the Bridging Finance Trophy. Having won the toss Ian Cropper elected to bat in the hope of building a defendable score. Unfortunately this hope was in vain as a mixture of poor shot selection and some naïve batting from relatively inexperienced players meant that Ainsdale ended up all out for a mere 90 runs. Tom Wainwright and Chris Jones each scoring 12 were the standout scores in an innings that merits little discussion. Bowlers Nolan and Clubbe each took 4 wickets for the visitors with some solid length and line bowling that was made to look good by the home sides error strewn innings. With such a small total to defend the odds were always stacked in Northop Hall’s favour, and they duly scored the requisite number of runs for the loss of only one wicket. Fortunately Ainsdale can comfort themselves with the knowledge that when the league season starts in earnest on May 8th the significant absentees from this week will have returned to action and the club will be able to pick from a much stronger pool of players.


01/05/2010
WAVERTREE 209-9 (45) (Macauley 87, T Oughterson 56, Deakin 24; P Causey 4-46, Swift 3-18)v AINSDALE 154 (39.2) (Swift 28, I Cropper 29; Birch 3-25)Result: Wavertree won by 55 runs

Ian Cropper’s men took the short journey to Wavertree in their final game of the Bridging Finance Knockout Trophy. With little to play for this game could be seen as being something of a practice match before the league season begins in earnest next weekend. Having won the toss the home side decided to bat first. A very impressive and tightly bowled opening spell from the Ainsdale pairing of Mal Swift and Tony Rogan ensured that Wavertree’s top order batsmen had to work hard to score runs. Indeed the first boundary of their innings didn’t come until the 9th over. Unfortunately though for Ainsdale the tight start that they made became more fragile looking after Swift had finished his spell of 9 overs with a healthy 3-18. Wavertree were let off the hook a little by some naïve bowling from some of Ainsdale’s less experienced bowlers and some poor concentration in the field. The Wavertree batsmen finding it quite easy at times to cash in on a very short boundary that should really have been defended with more purpose. Ainsdale did however manage to reorganise themselves a little and take enough wickets to get well into the home sides tail. Phil Causey taking a fine haul of 4 wickets for 46 runs and at one point taking 2 wickets in successive deliveries. Despite the disappointment of giving the home side 209 runs to defend the Ainsdale batsmen could have every reason to believe that they too could capitalise on the aforementioned short boundary. However, this was not to be. Malcolm Swift, Ian Cropper and Tom Wainwright being the only batsmen in the Ainsdale team to score over 20 runs with 28, 29 and 25 respectively. Ainsdale eventually capitulating to a score of 154 thus sealing their fate. These 2 teams meet again next week this time playing at Ainsdale in the first league game of the season the much awaited arrival of Pakistani pace bowler Nadeem Javed will hopefully give Ian Cropper needed to ensure a good start to the league season.

08/05/2010

AINSDALE 119-3 (28.3 overs) (Newcombe 53, Wainwright 44)
v WAVERTREE 116 (48.1) (Nicholson 31, Birch 26; Swift 5-59, Rogan 4-47)Result: Ainsdale won by 7 wickets
Toss: Ainsdale
Points: Ainsdale (20 pts), Wavertree (1 bat pt + 1 bowl pt)
The first weekend of the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition has proved to be a successful one for Ainsdale Cricket Club. The 1st team entertained Wavertree at Liverpool Rd in a fixture that was also played in last weeks Knockout Trophy.

 

An extremely experienced Ainsdale team took to the field with only Tom Prescott representing the clubs pool of very talented teenagers. Cropper electing to call upon Dave Newcombe, Eddie Fazakerley and wicket keeper John Thompson into a much mature looking side than the one that suffered defeat at Wavertree’s hand last week.

 

On a typical early season green seamers pitch Ian Cropper won the toss and had little hesitation in making the visitors bat first.  Mal Swift and Tony Rogan once again taking the new ball with relish. With a display of superb length and line bowling this wily pair made it extremely difficult for the visitors to make any real headway with the bat and it was only a matter of time before they made a breakthrough. This came about when the pair combined for Swift to take a fine slip catch from Rogan’s bowling. Wickets then fell steadily as these 2 fine bowlers continued in a spell of 44 overs unchanged. Backed up by greater concentration in the field than has been shown in recent weeks Ainsdale looked comfortable throughout the Wavertree innings. Few chances were wasted by the fielders and very few silly runs were given away. ‘Keeper John Thompson holding onto 3 good catches all from the bowling of Swift 2 of these pouches coming from consecutive deliveries. When Tony Rogan was finally taken off with figures of 4- 47 Ainsdale’s job was as good as done. First change bowler Waqar Khan also took a wicket in his 2 overs before Swift completed his own 5-wicket haul and ending the visitors’ innings with the first ball of his 25th over. Ainsdale clearly very happy at this stage with only 116 runs to chase and plenty of time in which to get them.

 

Ainsdale were then forced to bat for what could have been a nervous half an hour before tea, particularly as they were to lose the services of their skipper caught at first slip to a delivery that bounce awkwardly to say the very least. Resuming after tea on a score of 27-1 the Ainsdale pair of Dave Newcombe and Tom Wainwright put on a match-winning stand of 94 with a combination of intelligent running between the wickets and some very explosive stroke play. At one point pilots of the light aircraft at nearby Woodvale Aerodrome may have had to take extra care when coming in to land due to the ferocious nature of the batting! Wainwright’s dismissal when on 44 ended a partnership that looked like it could well have batted until the close of play. Newcombe however remained at the crease for long enough to claim a richly deserved half-century. The formalities of knocking off the winning runs falling to Mal Swift and Waqar Khan. Despite the disappointment of having to wait another week before being able to call upon the services of Nadeem Javed, Ian Cropper must surely be particularly pleased with this fine win as it serves as an indicator that this team genuinely has the talent to be in contention for promotion at the end of the season, the inclusion of the Pakistani all rounder can only serve to augment this already capable side.

15/05/2010

BIRKENHEAD ST MARY'S 88 (20) (Davies 29; Swift 4-40, Jones 3-17, Rogan 3-31)
v AINSDALE 217-6d (55) (Waqar Khan 96*, Swift 41; Vincent 4-74)Result: Ainsdale won by 129 runs
Toss: Birkenhead St Mary's
Points: Birkenhead St Mary's (1 bowl pt), Ainsdale (20 pts + 4 bowl pts)
The trip away to Birkenhead St Mary’s proved to be another good day at the office for Ainsdale 1st XI as Ian Cropper’s men gained a fine victory in their latest encounter in this seasons Liverpool Competition. The team playing at BirkenheadPark won the toss and on a pitch that looked like there may well be something in it for the bowlers the St Mary’s skipper decided to attempt to make the most of it and put Ainsdale in to bat. What was to follow was a great display of how to work hard and to bat well on a difficult pitch. Opener Malcolm Swift certainly showed his determination when his first 6 scoring shots all went to the boundary on his way to a very well crafted 41. Supported by a good solid 25 from Dave Newcombe the pair put on an excellent 50 partnership that was to lay a good foundation for the rest of the Ainsdale innings. This was an innings that was to get better with the arrival of Waqar Khan at the crease. With a combination of some good running between the wickets and some good lusty blows added to a superb technique Khan batted for the rest of the Ainsdale innings, scoring an unbeaten 96, and generally looking largely untroubled by the home sides bowling attack. When Khan was joined in the middle by Eddie Fazakerley the crowd was treated to a real show with the pair making a very entertaining and quickfire 71 partnership. It was a very happy Ian Cropper that was able to declare with his side having set a score of 217 to defend.

Right from the restart after tea the Ainsdale bowling attack showed their determination to secure a well earned victory from this fixture. First ball of the innings St Mary’s lost their opener to a wonderful diving catch at point by a youthful Eddie Fazakerley from the bowling of Mal Swift. Straight away the home side looked nervous and were certainly on the back foot. Ainsdale then delivered yet another spell of naggingly accurate seam bowling from their experienced opening pair of Swift and Tony Rogan, with both bowlers seemingly able to make the most out of the pitch and giving nothing to the batsmen, they steadily worked their way through the St Mary’s top order. Swift finishing the day with figures of 4-40 from his 10 overs and Rogan getting 3-31 from 7 overs. Mention though, must be made of the effort from first change bowler Chris Jones who took just 3 overs to mop up the St Mary’s tail taking the final 3 wickets for just 17 runs. Ainsdale took just 20 overs to dismiss the home side for just 88 runs and take maximum points from this encounter. A confident Ainsdale side now look forward to entertaining Liscard at home next weekend.

22/05/2010
AINSDALE 260-9d (55.0 overs) (Swift 111, Newcombe 25, Thompson 22; Ammar Baig 3-40)
v PARKFIELD LISCARD 87 (29.5) (Wright 18, Ammar Baig 17; Swift 6-43, Rogan 3-21)Result: Ainsdale won by 173 runs
Toss: Ainsdale
Points: Ainsdale (20 pts + 5 bat pts), Parkfield Liscard (4 bowl pts)
Fans of classic English literature will be glad to know that Ainsdale Cricket Club are handing out Dickens to anyone who comes their way at the moment. Parkfield Liscard were the latest visitors to Liverpool Rd and they came away with Hard Times.

A beautiful sunny afternoon that made ideal conditions for a cricket match saw Ainsdale skipper Ian Cropper win the toss and put faith in his batsmen by deciding to bat first. The batsmen did not let their captain down as right from the start Ainsdale set about the task of scoring as many runs as possible as quickly as they could. Opening batsmen Mal Swift and Tom Wainwright put on a 50 partnership for the first wicket, despite Wainwright being dropped to a fairly regulation catch on his first ball. That partnership laid a solid foundation for Ainsdale, and Swift in particular, to go on to score a large total. Malcolm Swift went on to prove what a truly devastating batsman he is by hammering the visitors bowling to all parts of the Liverpool Rd ground. The entire range of the batting textbook was on display as cuts, pulls and drives all found their way to the boundary in what was to be a truly impressive hundred for the experienced opener in a day that was going to turn out to be the Mal Swift show. Supported by his teammates, particularly the ever-reliable Dave Newcombe with 25 and wicket keeper John Thompson 22, Swift made a match winning 111 before Ian Cropper decided to declare on a total of 260 after 55 overs.

After scoring his century one could be forgiven for thinking that Swift could be given the luxury of taking things easy whilst the visitors batted out their innings. However he took the new ball and proceeded to demolish the top half of the Liscard batting order with a fine spell of bowling. The talented all rounder finished the day with figures of 6-43.  The fact is though that in this league in order to win a match a team has to take 10 wickets. Ainsdale managed this with not only Swift’s 6 wicket haul but also opening bowler Tony Rogan, fresh from talking wickets in Lancashire’s midweek fixture against Durham over 50’s, taking 2 wickets in his bowling spell. The talented teenage spin bowler Stephen Lucas also taking 2 wickets ably supported this. Lucas has been a notable absentee from the Ainsdale side in recent weeks due to school cricketing commitments however his return to the side served to display the quality and variation that the team has in the bowling department. In short it took the home side less than 30 overs to dismiss their opposite numbers and exeunt to the comfort of the clubhouse where a celebratory pint of foaming ale was quaffed with relish. Parkfield Liscard being bowled out for just 87 runs. Although it is still very early days it does make good reading to see an unbeaten Ainsdale side clear at the top of the league and looking like a very good bet for promotion.

29th & 31st May 2010
ST HELENS
v AINSDALE
Result: match abandoned without a ball being bowled
Toss:
Points: St Helens (5 pts), Ainsdale (5 pts)

AINSDALE 73 (29.0 overs) (Waqar Khan 33, Wainwright 16; Mulholland 7-27)
v ALDER 74-1 (15.2) (N Durand 46*, Spencer 26)Result: Alder won by 9 wickets
Toss: Alder
Points: Ainsdale (0 pts), Alder (20 pts)


Bank Holiday weekends, despite being much awaited and keenly looked forward to, so often have a habit of disappointing due to the vagaries of the British climate as great plans are often thwarted by inclement weather. This was one of those weekends for Ainsdale Cricket Club as a much awaited period of what potentially could have been very exciting cricket was ruined in the main by rain affected playing conditions.
Saturday saw a washout not just for Ainsdale 1st XI, but for every fixture in their entire division.  This was disappointing for skipper Ian Cropper who took a confident side to St HelensTown only to have the match called off due to rain without a single ball being bowled. Bank Holiday Monday though saw Cropper’s men at home entertaining a side from Alder Cricket Club. On early arrival at the Liverpool Rd ground it was very evident that, on such a green pitch that would clearly offer a great deal of assistance to the seam bowlers, winning the toss would be extremely important if not vital to deciding how the match would finish. Unfortunately for Ainsdale Ian Cropper lost the toss and it was his side that was made to bat first on this very testing surface. Right from the very first ball it was clear that batting was not going to be easy as a ball that pitched on a good length popped up high on batsman Malcolm Swift giving the experienced opener something to think about. Thing didn’t get any better for Ainsdales’s batsmen as wickets began to steadily fall. A defiant 33 from Waqar Khan being the only highlight of the Ainsdale innings that saw the home side capitulate to 73 all out. The experienced Alder seam bowler Mulholland took 7 wickets illustrating how a bowler who knew how to exploit this pitch would enjoy success. Having been set such a small target to reach on a pitch that was drying out and becoming more predictable the Alder batsmen had little trouble in reaching the winning total in less than 16 overs, despite the inclusion in the Ainsdale attack of former Pakistan international bowler Ata-ur-Rehman. Indeed the only Ainsdale bowler to make any in-roads into the Alder batting line-up was the experienced Tony Rogan who when brought on to replace the Pakistani star duly removed one of the away sides openers. Alas this proved too little too late. Despite having to endure such a heavy defeat Ian Cropper can take his men to Moorfield Cricket Club next week knowing good cricketers do not become poor overnight, and that his side are more than capable of putting this result to one side and putting in a performance that will re-establish them as a team that are genuine promotion candidates.

05/06/2010
MOORFIELD 245-8 (55.5) (Maher 58, L Drane 51*, Magee 38; Swift 3-66)
v AINSDALE 244-3d (48) (Waqar Khan 108*, I Cropper 39* [138*-4th wkt], Swift 48)Result: Moorfield won by 2 wickets
Toss: Ainsdale
Points: Moorfield (20 pts + 1 bowl pt), Ainsdale (5 bat pts + 4 bowl pts)
In an eventful weekend of cricket Ainsdale’s players and supporters experienced both highs and lows as the Liverpool Rd club sent them on a rollercoaster of emotions in a weekend when the clubs’ teams both gained victories in some exciting encounters and also contrived to throw victory away in others.

Prior to the weekends league game Ian Cropper’s 1st XI had a Friday evening fixture to play in the Liverpool Echo Knockout Cup. Ainsdale entertained St Helens Town in the 20 over competition and eventually won the encounter by the narrowest of margins. Some regular first team players were unavailable to play in this game, however, underlining some of the depth that the club can call upon it can be said that Joe Damon, Tom Cooper and Mike Causey all made good accounts of themselves playing in the first XI. Batting first Ainsdale amassed 92 runs from their allotted number of overs with skipper Ian Cropper remaining undefeated on 44. Ainsdale then took to the field and proceeded to steadily work their way through the visitors batting order. Tony Rogan bowling particularly well with figures of 3-33. St Helens were all out in the 18th over having scored 92 runs also but Ainsdale won by virtue of losing fewer wickets in their innings. 
On the back of this victory and with the recall of some more established first team players Ainsdale made the trip to Widnes to play against Moorfield CC the following day in a league encounter. Ian Cropper won the toss and showing confidence in his batting line-up decided to bat first. Openers Malcolm Swift and Tom Wainwright combined to make another 50 partnership for the first wicket, with Swift in particular, unlucky to be dismissed just 2 runs short of a half-century. With a solid base to build upon the in-form Waqar Khan took to the crease and was in majestic mood once again for Ainsdale. He arrived in the middle and proceeded to delight his team mates with a wonderful innings of 108. When Khan was joined in the middle by Ian Cropper the pair put on an unbeaten 4th wicket stand of 138, of whcich Cropper scored 39, when the skipper decided to declare with an impressive 244 runs on the board. With a bowling attack that has been taking wickets regularly all season only the most reckless of gamblers would have backed against an Ainsdale victory at this point. Opening bowler Mal Swift worked hard with the new ball and as ever this reliable bowler took wickets finishing his bowling spell with figures of 4-66. As the Moorfield innings progressed and the pitch got a little older Ian Cropper turned to his spin bowlers and both Waqar Khan and Stephen Lucas bowled well, each taking 2 wickets and making real progress towards removing the entire Moorfield side. However when victory was in sight for Ainsdale things began to go horribly wrong. The art of concentration and being switched on at all times in the field is one that any team wishing to be able to regularly take 10 wickets per game must learn. Victories don’t just happen for sides they are made to happen by all 11 players doing their utmost to ensure victory. Unfortunately for Ainsdale a day that should have finished with them collecting 25 points and victory finished with only 9 points and defeat, Something for all concerned to reflect upon and work on midweek in readiness for their next game at home to Sutton CC where hopefully this talented squad can bounce back and show their real ability. 

12/06/2010
AINSDALE 239-9d (49.2 overs) (Swift 95, Prescott 43, E Fazakerley 39; Dodd 4-79)
v SUTTON 211 (53.4) (Onion 47, R Hughes 41, M Rimmer 35, G Greener 32; Rogan 4-52, Waqar Khan 3-42, Swift 3-82)Result: Ainsdale won by 28 runs
Toss: Ainsdale
Points: Ainsdale (20 pts + 5 bat pts), Sutton (4 bat pts + 4 bowl pts)

The early season sense of optimism returned to Liverpool Rd this week as Ian Cropper’s men put behind them the disappointment of the last two weeks by returning to winning ways with a fine victory over Sutton CC.

 

On a sunny day that looked as if it had the making of perfect cricketing weather Ian Cropper won the toss and duly showed faith in his sides batting ability by electing to take to the crease first. Yet again opener Malcolm Swift was to have a superb day with the bat as he scored 95 runs. With an opening batsman being in such good form it can create a mood of confidence for the rest of the team knowing that their innings will get off to a solid start. Despite Swift’s heroics Ainsdale did wobble a little as at one stage it looked as if they could be having a slight middle order collapse. However any such fears were unfounded as Swift was joined in the middle by Tom Prescott and the pair both produced some quality batting on their way to a 56 partnership for the 6th wicket. After the dismissal of Swift Ainsdale continued to score well as Prescott and Eddie Fazakerley stayed together for long enough to take their side’s total to well over 200. The dismissal of Fazakerley when Ainsdale had reached a score of 239 was the point when Ian Cropper decided that it was time to declare the innings and to launch his bowling attack at the visitors.

 

One of the most pleasing aspects to Ainsdale’s season so far has been how well the opening bowlers Malcolm Swift and Tony Rogan have played. After only 6 games this experienced pair have already taken 37 wickets between them at an average of only a fraction above 14. Against Sutton once again they were responsible for taking key wickets at the top of the order with Swift taking 3-82 and Rogan returning with figures of 4-52.  The control and accuracy that both bowler shows is a lesson to anyone in how reliable length and line bowling gives batsmen problems and keeps the pressure on a side. When the Ainsdale attack then turned to spin once again Waqar Khan showed his worth by taking the remaining 3 wickets needed to dismiss the men from Sutton, indeed the final wicket of the match came from Khan’s bowling assisted by some fine glovemanship from ‘keeper John Thompson who produced a lightening quick stumping. Sutton finished the day all out for only 211 thus ensuring that Ainsdale had wrapped up their 4th win of the season and continue their charge for promotion. Next weeks journey to Burscough is one that Ainsdale can make full of confidence. 


19/06/2010

BURSCOUGH 211-3 (39.3) (Murray 70*, Domigan 70, Berrie 30*)
v AINSDALE 209-7d (60) (55 overs = 165-7) (Waqar Khan 112*, Lucas 52; Atherton 4-68)Result: Burscough won by 7 wickets
Toss: Ainsdale
Points: Burscough (20 pts + 3 bowl pts), Ainsdale (3 bat pts + 1 bowl pt)
the 2010 circket season is proving to be a very unpredictable affair for the playeers and supporters of Ainsdale CC 1st XI. Ian Cropper's men have shown that they are capable of beating any side in thier league. However this talented group of players are equally capable of engineering spectacular defeats for them selves. which has happened more than once this season. This weekend the men from Liverpool Rd took the short journeyto Burscough confident that last weeks victory could be built upon.
 
having won the toss Ian Cropper elected to bat first. a mini collapse at the top of the Ainsdale batting order was in no way what was planned and a scoreboard that read 27-4 was truly depressing. however once again a wonderful innings from Waqar Khan was instrumental in changing the game for Ainsdale. a fine 5th wicket patrnership between Khan and the hugely talented teenage all-rounder Stephen Lucas was a real treat for the spectators, and gave a much more credible look to the Ainsdale score. when Lucas was finnaly out having scored 52 the pair had put on a partnership of 111 runs. Waqr Khan went on to score an undefeated 112 and also had some great support from wicket keeper John Thompson who finished the day on 30no. declaring after 60 overs Ian Cropper had set Burscough the task of scoring 209 runs.
 
opening bowlers Mal Swift and Tony Rogan once again took wickets and there was also a wicket for man the match Waqar Khan but in fairness the day belonged to the home side as they manged to amass the required total for the loss of just 3 wickets.

26/06/2010
AINSDALE 174 (48.5 overs) (I Cropper 57*, Newcombe 31; Nazim Mohammed 3-15, Cruickshank 3-58)
v ST HELENS RECS 257-6d (55) (S Lyon 114, Cruickshank 79 [152-2nd wkt]; Waqar Khan 3-90)Result: St Helens Recs won by 83 runs
Toss: Ainsdale
Points: Ainsdale (3 bat pts + 3 bowl pts), St Helens Recs (20 pts + 5 bat pts)

Ainsdale CC 1st XI could really do with returning to their early season form right now as their current run of only one win in five games is well short of the targets that they have set themselves in order to achieve the long term targets they set themselves this season.

 

This weekend Ainsdale entertained visitors St Helens Recs at Liverpool Rd in their latest match in the Liverpool & District Competition.  Home skipper Ian Cropper won the toss and sensibly chose to field first in order to take advantage of a pitch that looked as if it may be very bowler friendly. Ainsdale enjoyed an early breakthrough when Malcolm Swift removed one of the visitors openers with only 20 runs on the board, however, the 152 run stand that Recs put on for the 2nd wicket soon made the home side realise that they would have to work very hard in order to get anything out of the day. On a day that spin rather than seam bowling would be successful for Ainsdale Waqar Khan was to prove to be the most lethal bowler finishing the day with 3 wickets from his 20 over spell. St Helens Recs innings finished on a very healthy score of 257-6 dec off 55 overs. Unfortunately for Ainsdale their chase to acquire the requisite number of runs started poorly. Most of the top order batsmen had time at the crease and managed to achieve some runs but proceeded to get out once they got into double figures. It wasn’t until Ian Cropper and Dave Newcombe put on a partnership of 100 for the 6th wicket that the home side batting looked like it had any kind of substance. Sadly though after the departure of Newcombe for 31 the home side collapsed. At the end of the innings Ian Cropper was left undefeated on 52 but wont be happy with the fact 4 different batsmen failed to trouble the scorers and that the last 4 wickets fell for a mere 3 runs.

 

Next weeks trip to Caldy may well come at the perfect time for Ainsdale as they are a side that represent a real opportunity for Ian Cropper’s men to return to winning ways and restore some confidence into a team that is capable of producing much more consistent form.


 




pos

 team P W L ND Pts  1