14/09/2026
Highfield 3rd XI โ 2026 Season Review
At the start of the season, I said that my main aim in taking on the captaincy was to create a positive and inclusive environment, give our younger players a genuine opportunity to develop in senior cricket, and strengthen the connection between the junior and senior sections of Highfield Cricket Club. To finish the season having achieved all of that and secured promotion to Division 1 of the West Lancashire League makes 2026 a season we can all be extremely proud of.
Promotion is obviously the headline achievement, but for me the biggest success has been how we achieved it. Throughout the year we've had a fantastic mixture of experienced senior players, parents, U18s, U15s and even players coming through from our U13s. Everyone has contributed, and the willingness of the more experienced players to support the younger lads has been a huge part of the team's success.
The development of our junior players has been particularly pleasing. Matt McIntyre and Nathan Rigby have both stepped up from the under 13s and experienced senior cricket, which is exactly what I hoped the 3rd XI could provide. At that age, simply being around senior cricket, fielding, batting, keeping or bowling alongside experienced players and learning how the game is played is invaluable. They've both shown that there is a clear pathway from junior cricket into our senior teams.
That continues through what has become a really strong core of U15 and U18 players. Rather than simply making up the numbers, our juniors have increasingly taken responsibility in important moments. They've scored runs, taken wickets, held catches and helped us win games. Seeing them grow in confidence as the season has progressed has been every bit as rewarding as seeing the results on a Saturday.
There have been some outstanding individual performances along the way. Finn Willis has had a remarkable all-round season, finishing as our leading run scorer with 286 runs at 35.75, including 88 at Wigan and a superb maiden senior century, 106 not out, against Kearsley. He also finished as our leading wicket taker with 16 wickets at just 10.88, including 5/0, and contributed also the field too. That's an exceptional season and a great example of a young player establishing himself in senior cricket.
Finn certainly wasn't alone with the bat. Tom Carr scored 230 runs, including two half-centuries and a season-best 59, while Thomas Berkley contributed 217 runs at 24.11, including an unbeaten 62. Thomas also had an excellent season in the field, taking nine catches โ the most in the team โ as well as 10 wickets with the ball.
Jack Hope made 189 runs, including an unbeaten 50, while also contributing behind the stumps and with the ball. Daniel Purcell added important runs and was outstanding with the ball, taking 14 wickets at 13.79 with an economy rate of only 3.23. Henry Jones was another major contributor across all disciplines: 93 runs, 13 wickets, five catches and a run-out.
Our bowling performances demonstrate just how many people contributed. Alongside Finn, Daniel and Henry, Aban Abbott produced a memorable 5/48 at Kearsley, while Abrar Khan's 5/19, Rameez Chaudhry's 5/13, Charlie Farrell's 4/18 and Jack Kendall's 3/10 were all excellent performances. JP Doyle took eight wickets at 11.25, Daniel Higgins eight at an excellent average of 9.38, and Jack Kendall finished with five wickets at 10.00. Even Jack Hope chipped in with three wickets from four overs, showing the depth we've had available!
There were contributions throughout the whole side. Gary McIntyre scored 82 runs at 20.50, took four wickets and was involved in some important moments in the field. Jack Kendall averaged 20 with the bat and was part of a crucial 44-run sixth-wicket partnership with me at Wigan. Charlie Farrell, JP Doyle, James Barlow and Rameez Chaudhry all made contributions when called upon, while James and Nathan Twiss also contributed behind the stumps when needed.
The partnerships perhaps tell the story of the season better than anything. Finn and Tom put on 140 for the first wicket at Wigan, Tom and Thomas shared an unbeaten 110, Finn and Nathan Twiss put together 88 against Kearsley, while Henry and Jack Hope shared 62 for the eighth wicket. Finn also shared an unbeaten 57 with Gary against Kearsley. Different players, different ages and different situations โ but all repeatedly found a way to contribute when the team needed them.
What has pleased me most, is the spirit in which we've played. We started the year wanting the 3rd XI to be a team where young players could develop, senior players could continue to enjoy their cricket, and everyone felt part of the side. I believe we've achieved that.
A huge thank you therefore goes to every player who has represented the 3s this season, to the other Highfield coaches and captains whoโve supported the team, to the parents who have helped throughout the year and to everyone behind the scenes at Highfield. The success of a 3rd XI depends upon people being willing to step in, help out and put the team first, and we've had that throughout the season.
A special thank you must also go to our friends at Goose Green Cricket Club, whoโve showed fantastic support to Highfield throughout the season. On several occasions they have kindly allowed us to use their ground when required, which has been greatly appreciated. The dual-registration arrangement between the two clubs has also worked extremely well, allowing players to help each other when numbers have been short, while importantly providing another opportunity for Highfieldโs junior players to experience senior Saturday cricket. It is a great example of two local clubs working together for the benefit of players and the wider game, and we are extremely grateful to everyone at Goose Green for their support and cooperation throughout the season.
We started 2026 wanting to develop players, enjoy our cricket and ultimately create a team that people wanted to be part of. Iโm confident we've done that and as a bonus, we've managed to get promoted along the way!
Division 1 awaits in 2027. A fantastic achievement by everyone involved. ๐
Andy.
