Champs finding winning rhythm
ORMSKIRK captain Nicky Caunce believes the confidence is flowing through his side after they recorded their fifth successive victory in all competitions this week.
After losing to Bootle at the start of the month, the reigning champions defeated Lytham and Chorley before overcoming New Brighton, Prestwich and Rainford in the space of four days.
“It’s going really well. We lost against Bootle but since then we’ve won five on the run, with three in the cups and two in the league,” Caunce said.
“It’s been good. Everyone is enjoying it and playing with a smile on their face so it’s a good atmosphere.”
Ormskirk lifted the Lancashire Cup last season, and after narrowly overcoming Prestwich in the first round of this year’s competition, the skipper believes his side will have to be wary of opponents coming with a point to prove.
“Because of last year’s success, teams up their game because they want to challenge you,” he explained. “They know they need to up their game to win so it’s up to us to raise ours.
“Last season we got on such a roll that we were turning up full of confidence and expecting to win, in a way.
“We’ve needed to get back to that and after five on the spin I think we’re getting there.”
Caunce was also full of praise for opening batsman John Armstrong, who recorded 114 from 146 balls in the league win over New Brighton on Saturday.
“That’s his first century in a couple of years.
“Michael Jones signing for Durham allowed him to open the batting again - which he has done for years - after batting at six the last couple of seasons.
“It was good for him to go back up. The first few weeks he was just settling in but I think it meant a lot to him, his dad and everybody who has stuck by him over the last few years. That was good for him.”