Drizzle proves tradition long to rain over us
THE participants donned their traditional uniforms and performed all the arcane rituals – but in the end, neither Formby nor Rainford were able to seize the crown.
A British institution older even than the Monarchy – drizzle – had the final say, with a see-saw encounter at Cricket Path largely decided by a 25-minute break during the second innings.
The visitors were starting to make inroads into their target of 223, but the interruption made their task just too challenging. They eventually closed on 175/8 after the hosts found regular wickets but never the clatter that was required, on a pitch that revealed its batter-friendly nature after a sticky start.
Both captains felt another 20 minutes could have been decisive, as Formby aimed to continue a strong start and Rainford sought their first win since promotion.
Home skipper Ryan Brown said: “We kept running in, kept trying everything and threw everything at them.
“I think if you put 20 minutes on the end of play there to get two wickets, I think we would probably have got them.”
For the visitors, a few batters got starts but noone played the substantial innings that was required. Formby seamer Mark O’Connor, playing his first game since 2017, removed
Matt Bailey with his first ball then produced a brute to get rid of top scorer Jimmy Davies for a brisk 39; skipper John Dotters and Mark Potter saw off the bulk of the last hour and secured a batting point.
Dotters said: “It would have been an interesting finish – we finished 40 short, and could have got those in 20 minutes.”
You could have got long odds on the draw after 70 minutes of play, by which time Liam Gaskell and Jimmy Davies had reduced Formby to 56/6. Davies castled Ian Cockbain, before Gaskell sneaked one through Sam Oldham’s defences then drew one shot too many from Ollie Sutton.
Sharp catches from Bailey and Dotters accounted for Brown and Lucas Kennedy, and when Ben Aitchison played around a straight one, Indian allrounder Ankit Sharma had only 15-year-old Archie Davies for company. But between them, the pro and the schoolboy set about rescuing their side with a partnership of 132.
Sharma took the lead at first, naturally. His footwork and intent made clear the difference between forward and back, attack and defence. By the time he passed 50, Rainford had five men on the boundary and the initiative had gone. Davies eased himself into the partnership, then played with growing aggression.
Sharma sliced Dotters to Jason Login on 89 but rather than retreating, the teenager became more expansive. A cut off Andy Davies brought up his first senior 50; he was on 66 when Brown called the side in.
Brown said: “It’s a great experience for Archie, coming away with 66* at a young age is testament to him, and Ankit batted really well with him.
“If you look at our top six, we’re going to fire more often than not. It’s just about when you do get in, making sure you go big and help the guys around you.”
After a washout at Colwyn Bay followed by defeats to Orrell Red Triangle and Ormskirk, Dotters was pleased to see his side start to assert themselves.
He added: “We’re taking the positives – we’ve had bad half hours that have cost us against Orrell and Ormskirk.
“It’s the sort of thing you’ll get away with in Division One but not in the Prem.”