Preston join Morecambe on Finals Day
Bilal Asad hit 54 to steer Preston to Finals Day |
Preston became the second club to qualify for finals day in the Furness Building Society Northern League Twenty20 competition after completing a five wickets win at Broadwater against Fleetwood.
Fleetwood, Preston and Blackpool all tied with two wins from their three league games but Preston qualified on run rate. They scored 379 runs in 53 overs (rr 7.15), to Blackpool's 372 from 55 (rr 6.76) and Fleetwood's 397 from 59 (6.72).
Nick Coultas hit a rapid 29 to get Fleetwood off to a flier until he was bowled by the Preston professional and captain Bilal Asad. Home professional Hendrik van der Dussen soon followed, well caught by Saj Patel off Darren Nelson.
Fleetwood struggled thereafter against tight bowling with Mark Wilkinson (17) and Adam Breakell (23) the major contributors towards their total of 123 for 8.
Preston's Adam Parker took three for 11 and Nelson two for 30.
Nick Coultas hit a rapid 29 for Fleetwood |
Adam Parker took three wickets for Preston |
Bilal Asad anchored the Preston reply with a half century while wickets well around him. Bilal reached his 50 in the 13th over before he top edged a rising ball from Breakell and received a nasty facial injury. After a delay he continued but soon fell to an outstanding catch in the deep by van der Dussen for 54 off 47 balls including seven fours.
Preston relied upon a mature innings by Jonty McDonald to see them over the finishing line. McDonald came in with Preston 62 for 4 and hit a responsible 21 not out to see his side through despite a fighting effort by Fleetwood in the field.
Bilal Asad pulls Adam Breakell on his way to 54 |
