Fleetwood one win away from Finals Day
Alex Smith hit an undefeated half century in vain |
Fleetwood are one win away from securing their place on Finals Day in the Furness Building Society Northern Premier League Twenty20 after a seven wickets win at Blackpool while cup holders.
If Fleetwood can win their final group game against Preston on 30 June they will qualify for the last four but Bilal Asad's side will be hoping to defeat Blackpool on 26 June and set up a 'winner takes all' showdown.
Last season's runners-up Blackpool's hopes of progressing depend on them defeating St Annes and Preston and hoping that Preston win at Fleetwood so the group will be decided on run-rate.
Fleetwood bowled and fielded tightly to restrict Blackpool to a disappointing total of 113 for 7.
But for Alex Smith, who batted responsibly for an undefeated 53 including four boundaries Blackpool may not have reached three figures.
Tom Blundell took the wickets of openers Craig Outram and John Mounsey and Adam Breakall weighed in by trapping Blackpool pro Saj Weerakoon leg before for a duck. When Andy Furniss was bowled by Tom Wilson the home side had slumped to 31 for 4.
But Smith re-built the innings despite captain Paul Danson falling to a catch at cover off Tom Clarke. Andy Hogarth confirmed his growing reputation as a batsman with a hard-hitting 28 that included three fours and one six and helped add 54 for the sixth wicket to help set a competitive target. Hogarth fell to a stunning Adam Sharrocks catch.
Fleetwood's Adam Sharrocks made a fine catch |
Nick Coultas gave the Fleetwood reply early impetus hitting two big sixes before he was brilliantly caught in the deep by Jarred Bain.
Fleetwood's Nick Coultas hits a six during his innings of 26 |
With South African pro Hendrik van der Dussen surviving a chance behind the wicket and finding it difficult to pierce the field the pressure grew when Tom Wilson fell victim to Hogarth.
Hogarth then thought he had van der Dussen caught behind but the strong appeal was rejected. The Fleetwood pro eventually fell to a superb Richard Gleeson catch on the cover boundary after battling through 15 overs for 26.
Fleetwood still required 41 at this stage but captain James Ellis made light of the target, hitting an unbeaten 25 to steer his side home alongside Sharrocks (23 not out) with eight balls to spare.
Fleetwood pro Hendrik van der Dussen |
