By Michael Latham
Gareth Pedder helped Morecambe to a convincing victory |
There were mixed fortunes for some of the 3D Sports Northern Premier League teams in the weekend's cup competitions.
Preston defeated Central Lancashire League team Unsworth at West Cliff in the Lancashire Cup. The home side made 209 in 44.2 overs with Munaf Bavla (43), Jonathan McDonald (45) and stand-in skipper Bilal Asad (33) the main contributors.
In a rain-affected game Unsworth closed on 46 for 6 in 15.2 overs, pro Bilal Asad taking two for 8.
Darwen had a bad day on Sunday, bowled out for just 105 in the Lancashire Cup-tie against Liverpool Competition team Colwyn Bay at Birch Hall.
Darwen pro Atif Ashraf top-scored with 40 but Colwyn Bay spinner Hugh Roberts grabbed a mid innings hat-trick and finished with 5 for 18.
Colwyn Bay cruised to an eight wicket win, closing at 106 for 2.
Morecambe, though, cruised through against Palace Shield team Vernon Carus.
Vernon Carus were 50 for 8 off 25 overs when the rain came with Tommy Clough (3-9), Graham Lee (2-9) and Gareth Pedder (2-9) giving little respite to last season's Palace Shield winners.
After a three-hour rain delay Morecambe were given the task of scoring 24 off 12 overs, without losing more than three wickets.
The visitors only needed 10 balls to reach the total (Phil Dennison 20 not out), and look forward to a home tie against Spring Bank in the next round.
Netherfield beat St Annes in the Cockspur Cup with fine performances from Marc Hadwin (5 for 33) and 15-year-old Graeme Baker who made 49 sharing a match-winning stand of 82 with Scott Clement (29 not out). John Musgrave was St Annes' best batsman with a fine innings of 60.
The scores were: St Annes 161 all out (John Musgrave 60, Marc Hadwin 5-33); Netherfield 162-7 (Graeme Baker 49).
Following last Sunday's washout, Blackpool beat Longridge in the First Round of the Cockspur National Cup at the second attempt, but not before rain played its part again.
Blackpool head coach Mick Moore has kindly submitted the following report of their Cockspur cup-tie against Longridge at Stanley Park:
Blackpool won by seven wickets chasing reduced target in rain affected game.
Batting first, Longridge accumulated 186 for 8 from their 45 overs, thanks mainly to an amazing 41 extras, including 22 wides and 6 no-balls, due to some very ill-disciplined bowling from the normally accurate attack. This not only gave extra runs to Longridge but also meant that Blackpool bowled almost 50 overs.
This aspect of Blackpool's out-cricket must be addressed immediately if they are to progress in this competition. The improving Luis Reece was by far the best bowler with a return of 3 for 28.
In reply, Blackpool set off in positive mood with Darlington & Reece scoring at every opportunity and running well between the wickets.
When Darlington was out caught for 21, Craig Outram, promoted to number 3, to up the scoring rate responded well with three enormous sixes, before falling for 23 off just 16 balls, having given the innings just the impetus it required.
With storm clouds brewing, thunder in the distance and flashes of lightning over the ground, Michael Moore followed almost immediately, attempting to cut a delivery that was too close to him.
This brought 17 year old Alex Smith to the crease, a young player who shows increasing maturity with each game he plays. He and Reece took the score to 82 for 3 before heavy rain intervened with 17 overs completed. At this stage and with the knowledge that a completed game requires the team batting second to have received a minimum of 20 overs, there was the possibility of a bowl-out or worse still a coin toss to decide the game.
The players and spectators were keen to ensure as much of the square and bowlers run ups were covered as possible, and after a delay of one and three-quarter hours, the umpires declared that play could resume at 19:35.
When the players returned Blackpool's innings had been reduced to 27 overs with a revised target of 112, effectively another 30 runs from 10 overs with 7 wickets remaining.
Reece (33 not out) & Smith (21 not out) achieved this target with ease, much to the relief of skipper Paul Danson.
Blackpool now travel to Horwich in for the second round tie next Sunday 18 May. The bowlers will need to step up a gear or two with their accuracy if they are to get past the much tougher opponents from Horwich and progress in this competition.
Luis Reece was Blackpool's best bowler |
