Maghull picked up a crucial win away at Old Xaverians on Saturday as they moved out of the drop zone in the first division.
Maghull skipper Anthony Molloy won the toss and elected to bat first, knowing the importance of forcing a victory having dropped to the foot of the table. The opening stand of 56 was dominated by Nick Ritchie, who made 48 from 46 deliveries. His dismissal saw Maghull lose wickets regularly, with half the side dismissed for 114 and six wickets gone for 128. A 38 run stand for the seventh wicket between Joe Campbell and Macauley Lawrenson got Maghull up to 165-7, but the last three wickets then fell for 13 runs. Campbell top scored with 67 from 139 balls as Maghull made 178 from 57.5 overs.
Old Xavs reply never really got going, with the home side falling to 36-4 then 93-7. The eighth wicket stand ate up a lot of deliveries but ultimately only added 19 runs before the partnership ended on 112. They added a single run before being bowled out, with Greg Coogan posting figures of 6-35 from 16.5 overs.
Maghull are up to 10th, 20 points behind New Brighton in ninth place and four ahead of 11th place Hightown. Lytham are the visitors to Hall Lane next Saturday.
The 2nd XI closed in on top spot in the second division after a seven wicket win over Prescot & Odyssey at Hall Lane. The visitors were asked to bat first and were bowled out for 148 inside 37 overs. Shaun Hornby took 5-54 from 11.4 overs, while Liam Gibbons also picked up two wickets. The reply was led by Rich Brown, who smote exactly 100 from 40 balls before falling with 16 runs needed for victory. Captain Jamie Breakwell finished the job, ending the innings unbeaten on 32 from 38 balls as Maghull reached 150-3 from 17.5 overs.
Maghull are just seven points behind league leaders Rainhill, with a game in hand, after Rainhill were held to a draw by Parkfield Liscard. A trip to Whitefield on Saturday awaits before the Tittershill Shield Final on Sunday.
The 3rd XI came agonizingly close to a victory in their final game of the season away at Liverpool. The home side were dismissed for 153, with stand in skipper Gareth Barry and Chris Mawdesley both taking four wickets. Maghull finished on 151-8, with Owen Bromilow leading the charge with a blistering 86, as the game was drawn.
Created: 10-Aug-2025
Author: Neil Dutton
