Mersey Rose represents the North West at Out4Cricket Tournament

Mersey Rose's softball team took part in the 2026 Out4Cricket tournament, which was held at Sutton Coldfield Cricket Club on Sunday 14th June.

This was the largest Out4Cricket tournament so far. In the softball section, four teams were competing: Mersey Rose (Lancashire), Western Force, Birmingham Unicorns (Warwickshire) and Norfolk.

It was Norfolk's first time at the event.

Unlike the 2025 event, which was a knock-out competition, the format this year involved a group stage with every team playing the other in a 12-over game. The two top teams then progressed to the final.

Mersey Rose 71-3 (Net Score 256) Western Force 73-2 (Net Score 263)

Western Force won by 7 runs

The first game of the day saw Mersey Rose take on Western Force. Put into bad, Rose made a tentative start and suffered a setback when Anna Page edged to the wicketkeeper. The third pairing of Dan Barrowcliffe and Aaron McKenna played positively and found the boundary several times but unfortunately Dan was caught and Aaron was run out, the loss of five runs per wicket eating into much of the progress made. The final pair of Andrew Foster and Andi Page added 40 without further loss, helping Rose post a decent net total of 256.

Mersey Rose needed early wickets and they got them, the first in truly bizarre fashion when one of the Western Force batters was given out for hitting the ball twice. When Dan Barrowcliffe also struck, Western Force were in a bit of trouble but momentum swing back their way when big hitters in their third and final pairings made significant contributions/ Despite some good bowling from Andi Page and Andrew Foster, Rose couldn't find a third wicket - and were perhaps unlucky not to. It was a close game and very competitive game that was decided by fine margins.

Birmingham Unicorns 111-3 (Net Score 296) Mersey Rose 73-2 (Net Score 263) Birmingham Unicorns won by 33 runs Mersey Rose won the toss and opted to field. Birmingham Unicorns got off to a flying start with the first two pairs batting steadily to add almost 50 runs in the first six overs. Mersey Rose did manage to pull themselves back into the game with three wickets - one from Heidi Page and two from Andrew Foster - but Dean Chilton-Davies scored an extraordinary unbeaten 37, including seven fours and a six, to help Unicorns to a formidable net score of 296.

In reply Rose scored steadily but couldn't keep up the required run rate and ultimately were unable to get near the required total despite purposeful batting from Andrew Foster and Ian Mosquito.

Norfolk 113-2 (Net Score 303) Mersey Rose 80-1 (Net Score 275)

Norfolk won by 28 runs

The final game of the afternoon saw Mersey Rose playing unbeaten newcomers Norfolk. Rose lost the toss and were asked to field. There were chances to make an early breakthrough and on another day Andi Page would have taken a straightforward catch behind the stumps and also the second opportunity off his own bowling. Mersey Rose eventually took their first wicket courtesy of Alex Leivesley, but neither that nor a run-out late in the innings could pin Norfolk back. Instead of being dependent on a big-hitter they batted solidly throughout and posted a daunting target.

Mersey Rose also performed creditably with the bat and posted their highest score of the day. Dan Barrowcliffe (17), Andrew Foster (16) and Andi Page (13). Andi was helped by Heidi Page who made her own positive contribution and ran for four from a straight drive (helped by a misfield). Only one wicket fell and Rose gave a good account of themselves, albeit in a losing cause.

Norfolk extended their winning run into the final where they defeated Birmingham Unicorns. In the hardball final, Unicorns beat Graces to win the competition for the first time.

In addition to the cups for the winning teams, awards were given to the best players in each competition as determined by the umpires. The best player in the softball event was deemed to be our own Heidi Page, whose outstanding bowling and fielding impressed everyone watching. She is shown below receiving her award from Richard Evans, Warwickshire Cricket Board's Cricket Development Officer.

Many thanks to Out4Cricket for organising the event, to Sutton Coldfield CC for all their work on the day and to the umpires. It really is a privilege to play cricket with umpires of such calibre overseeing the games.