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The firsts bowed out of the National Knockout with the negatives just outweighing the positives in a decent contest on the coast at Formby.

After losing Jack Stanley early doors, Zach, Caleb and Sam raced along to 87-2 in just 13 overs before Caleb mistimed a pull shot and was caught. Sam continued Saturday's form, playing shots all around the wicket in a partnership of 58 with Ben Hamilton but when both were out within the space of two overs, there was 145 on the board with 13 overs still to go.

Instead of rebuilding, the middle order then tried to smash every ball into the sea and it just wasn't going to happen with the next three wickets falling for eleven. This meant that Ollie, Fin and debutant Owen, could not play freely and had to take their ones and twos to use up the overs, when that is precisely what those middle order batsman should have been doing. As it transpired, they did that job extremely well, batting with maturity and managing to take the game to the last over whilst adding 37 valuable runs.

The final total of 193 was lightweight however, when a more disciplined approach could and should have set a target in excess of 220.

Formby's reply started with their openers struggling a bit and playing and missing on a regular basis. As they began to look more assured, an umpiring decision and a farcical dropped catch took the game away and despite a great spell of 1-22 off Ben Hamilton's eight over spell, the batsmen gradually took charge and eased their way to land Sam's men with a second seven wicket defeat within the space of two days.

Once again, there were positives in the performance, but there was also some poor cricket on display which needs to be ironed out before the season slips away.

The camping chairs and cool boxes were brought back down out of the loft on Saturday morning - the flasks were left for another day - as the travelling support made their preparations for a trip up to Horwich under clear blue skies, in the hope of seeing Maca’s men make it 2 from 2 to start the season.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, the Horwich openers survived a testing opening spell from Tom and Oscar who both managed to get the ball to move around but without reward.The introduction of Dan Jones from the Rivington Pike End (well that’s what you can see over that side anyway) came with a hat-trick opportunity, having taken 2 wickets with his last 2 balls to clean up the tail last Sunday. Maybe if Jordy knew it was hat-trick ball he wouldn’t have put down a regulation chance at second slip.

A few overs later the breakthrough was made, when Dan drew an edge and Owen took a one handed screamer high to his right at slip. That was a rare moment of brilliance in the field in a day of too many dropped catches and below par ground fielding. Something this side really needs to improve on to put together back to back promotions.

New signing Sas joined the attack from the “Ice Cream Van End” and impressed from ball one with his pace and control. He removed the opener just short of his 50 then the number 3 to leave Horwich 115/3. Dan picked up another with a catch at point from Tom, before a sharp piece of fielding out on the boundary from Owen to run out his college mate, Jack Murray. Jordy returned from Australia as a newly formed off spinner, bowling nicely to finish with 1-48 from his 12 over spell, leaving Clifton a target of 197 to take the points back to Manchester Road.

To say the Horwich opening bowlers were a little loose would be a tad polite. 3 head height no balls bowled from the Rivington Pike End (without warnings) mixed in with a flurry of wides, helped the chase get off to helpful start.

Steve and Sam both helped themselves to 12 runs a piece before falling, then a 62 run partnership from Dan and Jordy put Clifton in control of the chase. When Dan (38) departed, Owen came to the crease to hold up an end while Jordy pushed on and played with a little more freedom before falling for a well made 68. With 20 left to win the match, Oscar (4) Lewis (10) and Sas (7) got it over the line with 8 balls to spare.

Horwich looked like a strong side, especially with the bat, but they were let down by their opening bowlers which cost them the game. 12 wides and 3 no balls from the opener’s 4 overs (which was 3 overs too many if I was captain) followed by 9 wides and 4 no balls from the first change bowler gave the Clifton target a very helpful boost.

Compare that to just 6 wides and zero no balls from Clifton’s bowling attack and there is the difference. The leg side wides rule for this season will have a pivotal role to play in who is promoted from this league come September.

The firsts went down to a seven wicket defeat against a strong looking Horwich side on Saturday who proved their mettle the following day by trouncing Liverpool in the National Knockout.

Despite passing two hundred in only the second game of the season, it never really looked enough as the unseasonably hot April weather, along with Drew's expertise, had produced an excellent batting surface and a fast outfield. There was a welcome first half century for Caleb Donaldson and a positive run-a-ball 62 from skipper Sam in a total of 218-5 that was actually below par for the conditions as the strike rate faltered in a middle overs bloc that produced only 70 runs in 24 overs, strangled to a degree by some tight bowling that never allowed the batsmen to dominate.

Former Cliftoner Joe Brown perished early doors in the Horwich response, but that was all-she-wrote as far as bowling and fielding domination went as the Horwich batting line up eased comfortably to victory by seven wickets with three overs to spare.

It's been a tough opening for Sam's lads, with two of the best looking outfits on the fixture list in the first two games, but there were positives to report from both games with, hopefully, some easier contests on the horizon in the coming weeks.

The three pronged spin attack looks as though it could create problems in the right conditions and Gareth Cross will always take wickets. Ollie and Fin have only one wicket to their names so far, but that will quickly change as they get into their stride. With Caleb seemingly adapting to the conditions well and Sam looking in good nick with the bat, when the side clicks, they will be a match for anyone in the division on the day.

🔨 Rear Lounge Refurbishment Begins This Week

We are pleased to let members know that refurbishment of our rear lounge starts this week, an exciting step forward in improving our club facilities for everyone.

Planned improvements include:
• A new feature wall
• A new trophy cabinet to properly showcase our history and achievements
• New seating to create a more comfortable, welcoming space

This is part of an ongoing project to continually enhance our club for members, players, families and visitors. As a volunteer-led club with strong community roots, every improvement is about creating a space we can all be proud of.

We look forward to sharing progress updates as the work develops.

If you’re not yet part of our club, new members are always welcome. Please come and be part of something progressive, inclusive and growing.