The foul September weather across the Liverpool and District Cricket Competition saw a full slate of games abandoned without a ball being bowled in the 1st XI First Division. With no play possible anywhere in the league, Maghull secured their safety from relegation, with the five points from their draw with Hightown enough to see them finish just four points ahead of Old Xaverians, who were thwarted away at Orrell Red Triangle.
Maghull go into their offseason on the back of a league season that saw them finish in 11th place, a spot that normally would have a relegation spot had Lytham not announced in May their decision to leave the Liverpool Competition. As a result, only the team finishing bottom of the table would suffer the drop in 2025, afate that ultimately befell Old Xavs. Anthony Molloy’s side won four and drew two of their 22 league games, with three games abandoned, including each of their last two.
The weather also put paid to the 2nd XIs hopes of ending the season as champions of the 2nd XI Second Division, with their game away at Hightown abandoned without a ball being bowled. The 2nds went into the game needing nine points to take the title, but the draw yielded just five. Jamie Breakwell’s side did achieve promotion back the First Division at the first time of asking after relegation in 2024, which was the goal at the start of the campaign, so that is considerable consolation. The 2nds won 16 of their 22 games in the league, drew three, lost one and endured two rain affected outings.
The 4th XI were able to get a game in on Sunday, and has the better of a high scoring clash with Bootle. Batting first, the home side made 184-5d from 44.2 overs. Tadhg Bell, Harrison Willis, Dan Kimm and Bill Powell took a wicket each, with Niall Noble’s sharp fielding producing a run out. The run chase was superbly anchored by Phil Ivens, who finished 92* as Maghull reached their target of 185 for the loss of three wickets in the 39th over of their reply. Ivens shared a 113 run opening stand with captain Neil Dutton, who made 40, while Noble hit a breezy 25 from 22 balls. The 4s finish their season in eighth place in the Sunday 3rd XI Second Division, with six wins (two by concession), three draws and six losses (two by concession), with two games abandoned.
