With the March weather kind both teams were given the best chance for early April. The home side batted first, and Owen had 7 bowling options to juggle on the day.

Zeb and Joe Williams opened up, Umer taking the early wicket while Williams had a very close shout early on bowling with superb control and rhythm.

McGowan and Sundve replaced the opening pair, and both took the opportunity to get their names in the book getting wickets on a surface which offered some assistance back of a length.

Marsland back behind the sticks took no time to get up to the stumps and get into his work. A key role for the season ahead.

Next it was the entrance of front-line spinner Dave Williams and debutant Sol Turner. Dave carried on where he left off in 2024. Bowling stump to stump causing real problems for the home side.

Meanwhile Turner showed real promise passing the bat on several occasions. A massive progression for him from hard winter work with bowling coach Paul Owen.

Last but not least Sophie Morris came on, and was very unlucky not to pick up a couple of wickets as chances were missed in the field, but clearly the work she has put in during her trip to Dubai and India with Lancashire is paying off.

Wallasey batted the full 45 overs scoring 222.

Great work out for the bowling an fielding unit for a first outing in 2025.

With the bat Upton opened with Captain Owen and the returning Camden. After a slow start Owen broke the shackles with several boundaries through the off side.

Following his dismissal Cheshire over 50s batsman Darren Warburton joined Camden and the pair moved the score on. Camden starting to find his fluency and hitting forcefully down the ground.

Warburton fell to Wallasey’s impressive young leg spinner, Camden was joined by Dixon and the pair set about lifting the rate on the way to the drinks break.

Camden passed 50 including a six down the ground and dislodging a tile on a local house roof. He fell in the 60s from a good ball from Seb Botes.

Dixon was joined by vice-captain Matt Smith and the pair set about building a partnership, required rate of over 6s meant acceleration was needed. Dixon set about the bowling and found the boundary regularly on the way to 35.

Marsland came and went quickly, then Umer joined Smith. A key partnership in the match, Smith got to his work. Hitting the ball all around the wicket, several clearing the fence, he has found some excellent early season form. Umer supported brilliantly managing some lusty blows himself before falling just before the victory target.

Phil McGowan calmly strode out to play a classic straight drive for 4 before leaving Smith to finish this hugely beneficial pre-season match in style with a six that crashed in the home club house. Ending 62 not out.

A massive thank you to Wallasey for hosting the match and the superb hospitality during and after the match. Matt Owen’s squad move onto two T20 matches next Saturday at Neston .