With thanks to Tom Evans @ Merseyside Cricket Online (merseysidecricket.com can be supported @ https://buymeacoffee.com/tomevanscricket)
Dotters keeps his feet on the ground despite Rainford’s rapid rise
His Rainford side have been the surprise success of the Love Lane Liverpool Competition over the past two seasons – but John Dotters refuses to get carried away.
Having wondered aloud how 2023’s fourth place finish could be topped, the skipper went and led his side to third last year.
They failed to retain the Ray Digman Trophy thanks to treble winners Ormskirk, and fell short against Birkenhead Park in the ECHO Cup, but reaching both finals underlined their credentials.
Dotters is understandably cautious and typically self-effacing ahead of his side’s third season since earning promotion back to the Premier Division.
But at the same time, he knows the table doesn’t lie – Ormskirk and Northern may be a step or two ahead, but his side were their nearest challengers last year, entirely on merit.
The skipper said: “I didn’t think 2023 could be topped, but we managed to go one better in the league and reach two cup finals, so it was a really successful season – and a long one, I must admit.
“There are plenty of strong teams in the league. But we’ve acquitted ourselves really well, we’ve got a style of play that seems to work for us.
“I wouldn’t say we’re in the top three clubs in the league, but we definitely want to operate in the top half of the table rather than the bottom half.”
Rainford’s Jubilee Recreation Ground may be among the prettiest in the Comp, but it has not been a happy hunting ground for visiting sides – since promotion, only the Big Two have won there in the league.
Opponents know what to expect from Dotters, but that doesn’t make his left-arm spin any easier to face – as 68 batters found out last summer, more scalps than anyone in the division except Sri Lankan Test ace Malida Pushpakumara.
“Last year was really successful for myself and it’s a question of doing more of the same,” he said.
“We bowled well in partnerships, especially in the middle overs, and I seemed to reap quite a few rewards.
“But it’s not just a one-man band. We’re all in it together.”
Also second in the stats last year was opening batter Jason Login, whose 783 runs placed him second only to Formby’s Ian Cockbain.
Dotters said: “Jason is probably in the top five batters in the Prem, we’re really lucky to have him.
“Last season was a breakout for him, he’s always had the ability but sometimes he’s hit one straight up the chimney on 30 – last year, he kicked on and got the big scores.
“So I’m hoping for more of the same from Jason.
“I know he’s well thought-of around the league and his ability is second to none.”
Lancashire prospect Dom Hayes arrives from Orrell Red Triangle to boost Rainford’s pace options after the retirement of Andy Pickavance, while Tom Spilsbury from Sefton Park will hope to develop his off-breaks.
Dotters added: “We needed a bit of pace bowling with Andy retiring and we managed to pick up Dom, who’s a really exciting cricketer.
“We’re all excited to see how he goes and he’s a good lad. He’s got the right attitude and wants to take his game forward.
“Tom also wants to take his game forward and learn a bit more about the craft of spin bowling, so he’s going to get ample opportunities this year.”
Filling the overseas slot is American leg-spinning all-rounder Nihal Desai, recruited via Sydney grade cricket.
“It’s just a case of taking it week by week,” added Dotters on his ambitions for the season.
“And come the end of the season, you never know.
“We’d like another couple of cup runs – we didn’t get over the line in the finals, but they’re the sort of games you want to be playing in.”
With thanks to Tom Evans @ Merseyside Cricket Online (merseysidecricket.com can be supported @ https://buymeacoffee.com/tomevanscricket)
