Ormskirk fate sealed by the showers
NOT with a bang, or with a whimper, but with a squelch – most of the Liverpool Gin Liverpool Competition’s outstanding issues were settled on Saturday without a ball being bowled.
Notably, the washout confirmed Northern as ECB Premier Division champions for the first time since 2013 – and captain James Cole is in no doubt his men thoroughly deserve their (metaphorical) day in the sun.
“It was a bit strange, but you’d take that at the start of the season!” Cole laughed, after a day of celebration that began at a soaking Colwyn Bay before heading back to Crosby.
“We didn’t think we had much chance of playing at Colwyn Bay, so we were just waiting around for news from the Ormskirk game.”
When that news arrived, it came as vindication of the quiet progress made by the club.
Stalwart spinner Tom Sephton has been the division’s outstanding bowler, with 85 wickets so far at a shade over 10 runs each, while Liam Grey’s 583 runs put him sixth in the run charts.
But by and large it’s been a team effort – achieved without any high-profile recruits.
Cole said: “A lot of the top teams recruited very well and we just slipped under the radar really.
“It helps when you’ve got a spinner taking 80+ wickets but everyone has contributed to winning games.
“Tom keeps doing it every year – you bank on him for at least 60 wickets. He’s got great control, he turns the ball – he’s reaping his rewards. Liam should be playing professional cricket but for some reason he’s not getting picked.
“Everyone’s done well at times but I think other than Tom a few people have underachieved, to an extent – it’s remarkable winning the league when people haven’t done as much as they could have done.”
And while Cole still regrets defeats in the National and Lancashire knockouts, he described the side as “a pleasure to captain”.
They train hard and they’ve got a great attitude – you couldn’t ask for more,” he said.
Rainford’s fight to stay in the Premier Division came to a soggy end on Saturday; similarly, both Burscough and Liverpool are relegated from Division One. The rain also dealt a blow to Caldy’s promotion ambitions on Saturday; they at least are still in with a shout of overhauling one of Northop Hall and Old Xaverians next Saturday.