Fleetwood set up winner takes all clash
Fleetwood set up a winner-takes-all clash against Blackpool at Stanley Park next Thursday (1 July) after beating St Annes by 7 runs in a thriller at Vernon Road.
Playing without a professional, with captain/pro Matt Frith still injured, Fleetwood rattled up 182 for 6 with Sydney first grade player Ryan Smith, promoted to no3, blasting 50 off 25 balls with three fours and four sixes to follow up his batting heroics in Sunday's Readers Cup win over their Fylde Coast rivals.
Opener Dean Bell made 43 off 26 balls and Matt Clark (22) and Tom Wilson (22 not out) also made valuable contributions as St Annes pro Dinuka Hettiarachchi took three for 25. Bell and Clark gave Fleetwood a flying start with an opening stand of 62 off 34 balls.
Smith then grabbed the prize wicket of Atiq Uz-Zaman, caught by Chris Stanhope after the St Annes opener had hit 33 off 17 balls.
Despite 24 from Hettiarachchi and 25 from skipper Andy Kellett St Annes finished just short on 175 for 9 although Fleetwood conceded 20 wides, eleven off the last over bowled by Wilson who finished with three for 39.
Whoever wins next Thursday's clash at Stanley Park between Blackpool and Fleetwood will qualify for Finals Day.
SCORES:
Fleetwood won by 7 runs
Fleetwood 182 for 6 (R Smith 50, D Bell 43, D Hettiarachchi 3 for 25), St Annes 175 for 9 (T Wilson 3 for 39)
