Maghull up and running

PAUL Walters’ Maghull side picked up their first win of the season against Northop Hall on Saturday.

Maghull recorded a bumper total of 239-8 from 59 overs after being instructed to bat first by Northop skipper Dave Kennedy, and a 120-run opening partnership between Jonathan Ring and Walters set the tone for an impressive innings.

Cam Lawrenson (26) and Paul McKenna (18) added impetus to the scoreline before Walters declared, and regular wickets helped see off the hosts inside 45 overs.

Northop’s final wicket partnership of 43 was their best of the innings, with Jack Billington (27) and Daniel Clubbe (31) helping drag Kennedy’s side to 152 all out.

Opening bowler Anthony Molloy’s 4-45 was the pick of the figures, and skipper Walters believes he will be a vital figure if Maghull are to prosper this season.

Molloy has seven wickets in his previous two games, and Walters praised both him and opening batsman John Ring, who has started the season impressively, recording two halfcenturies and one hundred in his past three appearances.

“Anthony also got a 50 with the bat last weekend so hopefully it’s onwards and upwards for him throughout the season,” he said.

“John’s had a good start to the year and he’s that good you expect him to be averaging in the 40’s and 50’s.

“We really hope he can continue that throughout the season.

“We’ve got four or five match-winning players but it’s about it all coming together as one to get us over the line in games.”

Walters will be hoping to notch another victory this weekend as his side travel to Southport Trinity in the league.