Lancaster and Colts washed out
Leyland Captain Ian Farrington with the Readers Cup and Shield presented by League chairman Norman Poole |
Leyland Seconds completed a memorable weekend by lifting the Readers Division Two Cup at Broadwater.
After retaining their league title on Saturday, Ian Farrington's side defeated Fleetwood by 78 runs to secure only their third success in the competition. Leyland are the first team to secure a league and cup double in Division Two since St Annes achieved the feat in 2005.
Fleetwood officials worked miracles to get the game on after Broadwater was under water following heavy rain on the Saturday. The ground looked a picture and a large crowd of several hundred spectators, including a large contingent of players and supporters from Leyland made for the perfect back drop to a game of this importance.
Batting first, Leyland reached 164/9 in their 40 overs with none of their top-line batsman able to play with their usual fluency on a slow-paced pitch. Wickets fell regularly with Leyland, 66/1 at the halfway point unable to dominate a tight Fleetwood attack.
Openers Wes Royle and Ian Dickinson put on 46 in 15 overs before Royle was caught by Joe Bell off Neil Gregson for 25, what proved to be the game's highest individual score. Dickinson made 23, Nathan McDonnell 17 and Farrington 19. Liam Hurt gave the innings vital late impetus with a quickly compiled 20, including two huge sixes.
Gregson bowled a typically miserly spell to take 3/20 off his eight overs with Joe Bell taking 2/26. Tom Clarke swung the ball considerably in an opening spell of six overs for 16 runs and young Jack Wilkinson bowled impressively with seven overs for 27. Alex Ryder conceded only 21 runs from his seven overs.
Fleetwood faced an uphill battle after losing skipper Wayne Clarke and Andy Singleton early in their reply; Steve Pallett claiming both wickets, the latter to a superb catch at mid-wicket by Dickinson.
Danny Lamb bowled Zac Coultas and Hurt then wrecked the middle order with a spell of 3/21, capturing the wickets of Joe Bell, Chris Stanhope and Neil Jackson all to catches behind the wicket by Matthew Watkinson.
Despite a defiant unbeaten 14 from Gregson Fleetwood's innings ended with the home side all out for 86, Stephen Cartwright taking 2/19 and Alex Williams claiming 1/6.
Liam Hurt was Man of the Match and received an engraved glass trophy from League President Brian Standing.
Liam Hurt receives his Man of the Match award from League President Brian Standing |
League Chairman Norman Poole then handed out runners-up medals to the Fleetwood players and presented skipper Wayne Clarke with the runners-up cup.
Mr Poole then presented the Leyland players with individual gold medals before handing over the Cup and Readers Shield to Captain Farrington. The Umpires were Colin Wilson and John Whiteside.
The victorious Leyland side |
There was no play in the scheduled Division One league game at Lune Road where Lancaster were due to play Lancashire Colts. Heavy rain had left the Lune Road playing area unplayable.
Broadwater on a glorious sunny afternoon |
Readers Cup Final
Division 2
Fleetwood v Leyland
Leyland won by 78 runs
Leyland 164/9, Fleetwood 86
League
Division 1
Lancaster v Lancashire Colts
Match abandoned (4pts each)
No Play
