Cricket: Northop Hall score shock win over league leaders Ormskirk

Jul 21 2011 by Alec Doyle, Flintshire Chronicle

THE spectre of relegation rolled back a little as Northop Hall bagged a six-wicket win at Ormskirk to drag themselves out of the drop zone.

Prior to the game you would be forgiven for thinking that, with Hall’s bad run of form and Ormskirk sitting at the top of the Liverpool and District Competition Premier Division, that the result was a foregone conclusion.

But Danny Nolan’s side have not become a bad side, they simply hit a rough patch and they proved they can still mix it up with the big boys as they faced an Ormskirk side littered with players on the fringes of the Lancashire County set-up including spinner Simon Kerrigan.

While Hall had only two wins to their name in the league, by contrast Ormskirk had one defeat in 11 games and their confidence quickly became arrogance as they declared on an insulting 190-4 after Nolan asked them to bat first.

Adam Hodgkins claimed 2-46 and Nolan himself pocketed 2-51.

To declare under 200 was an affront to the Smithy Lane side and they returned to the field of play after tea with their hackles raised.

It proved to be the catalyst to ignite Hall and spark the performance they have been trying to force for weeks.

Aussie Tim Buszard maintained his consistency with the bat, making 58no, Nolan finally found his touch as he put on 54 and George Johansen refused to be left behind as he cracked 50 while Kerrigan, the man in whom Ormskirk invested their confidence in a low total, was knocked all over the park and finished with figured of 2-70.

Hall finished on 194-4 and took an unexpected 20 points.

“It was a great effort by the lads and will serve as a huge boost going forward,” said Nolan.

Hall seconds settled for a 7-7 split of the points against Liverpool.

The home side scored reached 214-8 chasing Hall’s 222-8 declared.

All-rounder James Hurlin made 121 before taking 4-63 for Hall.

Maeve Sparks has been selected as the captain of the North Wales under 15 girls team.

Gina Eccleston from Northop Hall was also selected in the side.

The MCC, featuring Northop Hall wicketkeeper Alex Smith, lost to Wales by one wicket at Abergele in a two-day match last week.