Mini puts on a masterclass

Premier Division

- BY TOM EVANS

WALLASEY’S KJM Oval was bathed in glorious sunshine all day - but for the home side, the dark clouds started to gather as soon as Ian Cockbain passed 20.

There can be few more pleasing sights in the Love Lane Liverpool Competition than the Formby skipper in full flight - unless, that is, it's your job to stop him.

On a placid pitch on Saturday, 'Mini' made a target of 148 look like a walk in the park with a serene unbeaten 80.

The bowlers gave it their best, but their best disappeared to all corners in a flurry of drives, cuts and sweeps.

He even found time to coach his protege, 17-year-old Lucas Kennedy, between balls in an unbroken stand that almost matched Wallasey's whole total.

By the time Kennedy lofted Aussie slow left-armer Ejaaz Alavi over long-on for his fourth six to bring up his own half-century and seal a nine-wicket win, most of the spectators were disappointed that the show had to stop.

Cockbain's innings included 12 boundaries, but only once he'd played himself in - after leading his side to their first league win of the season, he stressed how important that was to both himself and Kennedy.

"We speak a lot as a team about the importance of partnerships," he said.