Colwyn Bay’s cricketers are desperate for that first league win

Liverpool and District Cricket Competition fixtures – SATURDAY, JUNE 29

1st XI ECB Premier League
Wallasey v Colwyn Bay

1st XI First Division
Old Xaverians v Prestatyn
Wavertree v Northop Hall

2nd XI Premier Division
Colwyn Bay v Northern

2nd XI Second Division
Northop Hall v Burscough
Prestatyn v Southport Trinity

Previews

Wallasey 1st XI v Colwyn Bay 1st XI

Colwyn Bay’s poor start to the season suffered another blow this week when plans for a new signing fell through.

Skipper Sion Morris reports: “We were hopeful of bringing a Lancs player in this week, but it hasn’t worked out unfortunately, which was very disappointing but we have to get over that and move on.”

The Bay travel to Wallasey today one off the bottom of the Liverpool and District Competition ECB 1st XI Premier League and still without a win in nine attempts.

Will Higginson and Ryan Westwell return for the visitors, while Oran Davies and Harry Ramsden drop out.

Morris added: “It’s a huge game for us really. Two games until halfway and with no wins we really need to start turning things around. It’s been a struggle so far but it’s only us that can change how it’s going,”

Old Xaverians 1st XI v Prestatyn 1st XI

Key bowler Adam Tidswell is back for Prestatyn and Ronnie Harris returns to the side after lengthy work commitments.

The Seasiders still have a few other bowler injuries to contend with.

Last weekend saw Prestatyn have hosts Birkenhead Park struggling at 38-4 before the Wirralians recovered to set a 200-plus score, leading to a 90-run win over the North Walians.

Skipper David Harris said: “We’re just looking for a bit of consistency as last Saturday they (BP) were 38-4 and the opening bowlers bowled beautifully, but then being so young they can only bowl seven at a time and have to be replaced. Then it was difficult after that.

“It was the same with the batting. Our top order didn’t perform under a lot of pressure so we’re just asking them to try and step up and be selfish at the crease. It’s good to have Adam back though as he has been our most consistent bowler and offers more options.”

Wavertree 1st XI v Northop Hall 1st XI

Northop Hall make one change to the team that beat leaders Rainford in a thriller last week as Matthew Hodgson returns to replace Gareth Fox.

Hall’s director of cricket Dave Kennedy said: “We’re really pleased with how things are looking after last weekend, the lads were fantastic and hopefully we can take that forward and really kick-start our season.

“We’re looking strong in all departments but we can’t under-estimate Wavertree this weekend.

“Sunday in the (Ray Tyler) cup is another game we’re looking forward to,

“Old Xaverians beat us on the opening day, which was a loss that really hurt, so it’s a game we’ll want to win, especially with a semi-final place up for grabs.”

Northop Hall 2nd XI v Burscough 2nd XI

Gareth Fox drops down in the seconds, while Alastair Andrady and Adam Littler return to the side in place of David Hodgson, Harrison Speed and Matt Pritchard from the team that drew with Norley Hall last weekend.