A look back on the first month of the 2026 season from the Director of Cricket
We kicked off the season a month ago now, and the general feel around the club is fantastic. We’ve changed the way we train, moving club training to a Wednesday so everyone can train together for the first time. The uptake has been high, and the buy-in from the players has been brilliant.
Here is how the teams have fared over the first month:
1st XI: A Solid Start Under New Captaincy
Under new captain Macauley Lawrenson, the 1st XI have got off to a relatively solid start:
Cup Success: A great win in the 40-over cup against Norley Hall kicked off the season.
League Opener: A drab draw against Ainsdale, where Maghull played all the cricket. On another day, we could’ve quite easily walked away with the win.
Bouncing Back: A loss the following week to Birkenhead Park was quickly forgotten after a great win against Hightown, securing Macauley’s first league win as captain.
Weather Woes: The rain put paid to their chance to make it two league wins on the bounce at Sefton Park.
The Verdict: Overall, they’ve advanced in the Ray Tyler Cup and the ECB Vitality T20, and currently sit 6th in the league.
The 1st XI secured their first win in the league over Hightown St Mary’s.
2nd XI: Finding Their Feet in Division 1
The 2nds have had a mixed start back in Division 1, highlighting just how tough this standard is.
Defeat in the first round of the Tittershill Cup to Caldy was a shock, and while the loss against Orrell Red Triangle hurt, it highlighted the sheer strength of Division 1. The 2nd XI is coming up against teams this year whose 1st XIs play in the Premier Division, so the quality of player they face every week is incredibly high.
However, a great win in their second league game broke the losing streak, with vital contributions from Liam Gibbons and Paul Houghton paving the way.
3rd XI: Charting New Waters in 2026
With Gareth Lloyd still in command, the 3rd XI has problems of a completely different nature this year.
In years gone by, it’s often been a Friday night scramble for players. 2024 was our worst year for concessions, though 2025 showed improvement. This year, he has too many players to pick from, which is a tough but welcome problem to manage.
We are very keen for the 3rd XI to be as competitive as possible, while still keeping one eye on youth development. With roughly 14 or 15 players to choose from every week, the selection committee is working hard to ensure people are getting a fair game while keeping the side strong. This means players will be rotated, and we ask that you trust us in our selections. The results so far stand at two draws and a couple of losses.
4th XI: Youth Leads the Way
With the 4th XI continuing in the Sunday Development League, it’s been the perfect chance to give the younger lads a go.
Tadhg Bell and Owen Quilliam continue in the side from last year, and this year Neil Dutton has handed out senior debuts to James Carthy, Joseph Byrne, and Korey Wainwright. I couldn’t be happier with how the 4s are going at the moment.
The youngsters continue to get their opportunities with the 4th XI.
Ladies XI: Searching for New Players
Debbie Bowden has continued in charge of the women’s side. Early success at Fleetwood Hesketh looked promising, but the team remains held back by a lack of numbers.
We have to look really hard at recruitment and how we can attract more players to the club. This will allow us to continue to grow the ladies’ and girls’ sections. If anyone knows someone who could potentially come down and play, please get in touch.
A Final Word from the DoC
As mentioned earlier, we are in uncharted waters this year. Major changes at the top of the tree mean key positions are occupied by people in post for the very first time. We ask for your patience.
If there is an issue about anything cricket-related, I ask that you come and speak to me first. I am at the club most nights, and it is my preference to discuss any matters face-to-face. For everyone’s sake, I will not be responding to issues over text or WhatsApp. Thank you for your understanding on this.
Please continue to support the club by attending any events we throw. You’ll catch what’s coming up on our social media or the WhatsApp club channel.
