3rd and 4th XI Start off their Campaign with a Bang

Irby's 3rd and 4th XI stormed to victory this weekend after getting their L&DCC league off to a flying start.

1st XI's Low Scoring Thrillers

Another example of a low scoring thriller at Mill Hill Road, with the visitors taking the advantage. Irby set off to a rock start, having to bat first. With wickets tumbling, Nathan Wilkes and Smit Mehta seemed to be locking down a good partnership until the Wavetree attack removed both, leaving Tom Crawford and Oscar Wilkes to wrestle the score to 99.

With a low number to defend it seemed an easy chase, but Irby's talented bowling attack came out fighting. Unfortunately it was proven a hill too big to climb, the visitors even though seven down were able to secure victory.

3rd XI's Rampant 9 Wicket Win

What a day out for the 3s at Mill Hill Road. Roy Crawford wins the toss and sticks a seemingly young and strong Liverpool CC in to bat first on a ticky Irby track. Irby were quick to pounce and it wasn't long until they had wrapped up the top 4, Gillespie taking three and Renshaw with 1. It was then down to Bough and Smith to take the remaining wickets, bowling Liverpool out for 59 runs.

A reply with the bat was needed to secure a dominant victory and it was sure achieved, with openers Wilkes and Jones rattling off 50 within the first 7 Overs. It was then down to Renshaw and Wilkes to seal the 9-Wicket win for Irby's 3rd XI.

4th XI's Victory Under Ten

Bowling a new league entrant out for 59 is one thing, but bowling a top-half finishing side away from home for 66 is something else. Once again Irby were asked to bowl and it didn't take long before the visitors had the game by the scruff of the neck. A Mark Booth masterclass saw him take his first 5-Wicket-Haul, skittling the Wavetree attack before Rohith and Bough finished the deal. The hosts were out for 66 and it was time for Irby to reply.

All out attack ensued from Bough and DeSilva at the top, firing runs left right and centre, nearly killing the game before it had gotten off to a start. Irby then lost Bough for a well played 29 and Evans for 1 in quick succession, but the game was nearly over the line, with De Silva and Grimshaw securing an 8-Wicket victory for the visitors.