The 1st XI remains perilously close to the relegation place in the First Division after Saturday, going down by three wickets to Highfield, while fellow strugglers Old Xaverians lost their local derby with Sefton Park.
Batting first, Maghull were dismissed for 171, thanks in no small part to opening batter John Ring. Ring faced 157 balls and was the last man out with a season-high 84 to his name. Craig Black made 27, going past 300 runs for the season, and Macauley and Cam Lawrenson made 16 and 14, respectively. The home side was made to work for their runs in their reply, losing four wickets for 28 to slip from 100-2 to 128-6 as Maghull carefully probed away. But they lost only one more wicket, with the scoreboard reading 147-7 at the time, and the home side were able to reach their target within 48 overs. Greg Coogan took 4-53 for Maghull, a haul which included his 150th wicket for the club.
Maghull are six points ahead of Old Xaverians, and welcome second-placed Orrell Red Triangle to Hall Lane next week, while Old Xavs travel to Southport & Birkdale.
The 2nd XI secured promotion and a return to the 1st division at the first time of asking on Saturday, following a 125-run victory over Sutton (St Helens). Going into the game, Jamie Breakwell’s side knew a win over third-placed Sutton would be enough to earn one of the two promotion spots, and they set about building a score to defend against what would need to be a determined onslaught from the visitors. Maghull were indebted to the opening pair of Shaun Hornby and Josh Brady, who put on 129 runs for the first wicket, the best for the first wicket for the 2s all season, and an alliance only broken when Hornby was dismissed for a season-best 81. Brady soon followed for 47, and Breakwell went for 16 with the score 154-3. But a counterattacking partnership by Declan Devine (41) and Liam Gibbons (21) saw Maghull past 200. A clatter of wickets saw the home side dismissed for 239.
The visitors made a solid start to their run chase, but fell from 54-1 to 88-6. The 100 came up with eight wickets down, and the last two fell within seven runs of each other as Sutton were dismissed for 114. Hornby continued his fine all-round form with 3-17, while Gibbons took 3-39.
Maghull are eight points behind the leaders Rainhill, but have two games remaining to Rainhill’s one. A trip across the water is in store for Breakwell’s side next week, with a game against Caldy, while Rainhill travel to Fleetwood Hesketh.
The 4th XIs game at Ormskirk on Sunday was abandoned without a ball bowled. They’ll look to play their final home game of the season next week with Liverpool the visitors.
Created: 06-Sep-2025
Author: Neil Dutton
