Formby Cricket Club Enjoys Action-Packed Weekend as First XI Goes Top

It was another action-packed weekend for Formby Cricket Club, with all four teams involved and the 1st XI celebrating a superb victory that sent them to the top of the league.

The 1st XI produced an impressive seven-wicket victory away at Northern. George Darwood took 2-6 and Archie Davies 2-41 as Northern were restricted to 167/9.

Formby then made light work of the chase, with Nick Ritchie hitting 58 and Ollie Sutton finishing unbeaten on 52 to secure the victory and move Formby to the top of the table.

The 2nd XI suffered a four-wicket defeat against Rainford. Batting first, Formby made 144, with Alex Powell top-scoring with an unbeaten 44, while George Evans and Harry Scott both contributed 26.

Anthony Rogan took 2-19 and Lucas Houghton 1-28 as Rainford were reduced to 145/6, but the visitors managed to get over the line.

There was better news for the 3rd XI, who recorded an excellent 40-run victory over New Brighton. Zak Eastwood scored 44 and Max Whitehurst added 40 as Formby posted 185.

Diego Hadwin then produced outstanding figures of 4-10, with Sam Willis taking 4-37, as New Brighton were bowled out for 145.

2nd XI Reach Chrysalis Cup Final

Sunday brought more drama as Formby’s 2nd XI reached the Chrysalis Cup Final following a thrilling semi-final against Northern CC.

With the match reduced to 17 overs, Formby made 139/7, including 28 from Nick Sutton and 25 from Harry Scott. DLS revised Northern’s target to 141.

A tense finish followed, with Denzel O’Brien taking 3-20 and Josh McKie-Thomson 2-24 as Northern were restricted to 139, handing Formby a dramatic one-run victory and a place in the final.

In the final against Liverpool CC, Oliver Gallagher struck an excellent 63 and Denzel O’Brien added 29 as Formby reached 158/5.

Liverpool successfully chased the target, finishing on 162/3 to win by seven wickets, bringing Formby’s impressive cup run to an end.

The 4th XI were also in action on Sunday and played out a fantastic draw with Orrell Red Triangle CC.

Orrell declared on 175/9, with Fergus McIntosh taking 4-20 and Josh Burt claiming 3-19.

Formby then reached 175 themselves, thanks to two excellent half-centuries from Diego Hadwin, who made 57, and Fergus McIntosh, who completed a superb all-round performance with 54.

It rounded off another busy weekend for Formby Cricket Club, highlighted by the 1st XI moving to the top of the league and the 2nd XI reaching the Chrysalis Cup Final.