T20 FINALS DAY: Wallasey and Formby keen to learn lessons from painful defeats on the same stage last year

Two of Sunday’s semi-finalists in the regional rounds of the ECB National T20 will be trying hard to banish the memories of last year.

It won’t be easy – Wallasey and Formby are back at the same ground where they both lost to eventual national champions Northern.

But both skippers feel they are in a better position to make Moor Park their playground on Sunday – starting when they face off in the day’s first semi-final.

Wallasey captain Greg Beaver still remembers seeing his side get within 10 runs of their target of 109 in their rain-affected semi, with eight balls left and seven wickets in the shed.

They made just five more runs, and lost as many wickets.

“We kind of threw it away last year, we had a mad over or two which cost us the game,” Beaver said. 

“Hopefully we can put things right this year.”

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After a slow start, the Wirral side are starting to gather a bit of momentum this season. 

Saturday’s defeat to Firwood Bootle was their first in six games in all competitions – along the way they have advanced to the quarter-finals of both the Cheshire Cup and the ECHO Cup.

Their two marquee signings of the winter – former New Brighton all-rounder Seb Botes and Australian spinner Ejaaz Alavi – have been key men, with Botes taking 17 wickets in two consecutive league matches.

And Evan Withe, signed at the beginning of last year from Colwyn Bay, has made two centuries so far this season. 

In the shortest format, Wallasey have beaten two past ECHO Cup winners in Chester Boughton Hall and Neston – Beaver believes his side are well-suited to T20.

He said: “We’ve played a lot of good T20 cricket this season so far so we’re really looking forward to Sunday.

“The side is coming together. In the T20s so far we’ve been regularly getting 150+ and we back ourselves to defend it.

“We may not have too many explosive cricketers but we’re obviously a decent T20 side.”

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Formby, safe to say, definitely do have at least one explosive cricketer. 

Captain Ian Cockbain has made 1,479 runs so far, already his most productive year ever, at the official half-way point.

It helps that it hasn’t rained much, and that his side have done well in the cups. But there aren’t enough caveats to diminish the form he’s been in.

He and his side were neutered by Northern in last year’s final, stumbling to a total of 109/8 which they had little chance of defending; this year, he’s determined to get it right.

“We got there last year and didn’t quite get over the line, so our goal this year is to go one step further and win it,” Cockbain said.

“Everyone, especially the younger lads, have another year’s experience and had a couple of finals last year, so we’re in a better place this year than we were last time.”

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The captain’s top-order runs have been augmented by teenager Lucas Kennedy and wicketkeeper-batter Jack Carney, recruited over the winter from Southport & Birkdale.

With the ball, tall off-spinner Archie Davies has impressed alongside St Lucian left-armer Larry Edward.

Cockbain said: “Jack’s been a great addition, he’s slotted into the team seamlessly. He’s a great lad and we love having him around – it helps that he’s a great player as well. 

“Lucas is really starting to put together some big performances and get some bigger scores, and it’s nice to see that he’s taking that responsibility.

“Archie is well-suited to cricket in general, he adapts well to different conditions and formats, he’s a smart bowler and he really does adapt very well. He’s got some great attributes – he’s kicked on and taken on the extra responsibility.”

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Neither side will want an exact repeat of recent history, but both know winning on finals day could put them on the fast track to glory – just as it did Northern 12 months ago.

Beaver said: “They’re always great days with a really good atmosphere and a lot of good cricket on show. 

“It’ll be a tough challenge on the day and one the lads are really looking forward to.

“It’s all about getting through the Comp rounds – obviously there are strong teams elsewhere but if you can get through then you’ve got a really good chance. 

“Northern went on to win it when we were very close to winning that game. So if we can get through Sunday then there’s no telling how far we can go.”

Cockbain added: “You want to put yourself on a par with teams who have won it in the past, like Northern, and if we can get through then it really puts us in a good position to try and win the whole thing.”

ECB National T20

Regional Finals Day

Sunday, July 13
Northern CC

10:15am — Wallasey v Formby

1:15pm — Rainford v Ormskirk

4:30pm — Final

Winners progress to the ECB National T20 Area Finals

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