By Michael Latham
Andy Hogarth took 5 wickets on his Blackpool debut |
A brilliant all round performance from Stephen Twist helped St Annes begin the defence of their title with a resounding eight wicket victory over Darwen. Twist followed up his inspired spell of 5 for 44 that helped dismiss Darwen for 124 with 68not out in an unbroken match-winning third wicket partnership of 121 with Atiq Uz Zaman, who finished 52 not out.
Blackpool captain Paul Danson steered his side to a narrow three wicket win at Carnforth in a low scoring game with a vital innings of 28 not out. Earlier former Freckleton all rounder Andy Hogarth marked his Blackpool debut with a spell of 5 for 21 to dismiss the home side for 113.
Andrew Makinson led the way as Leyland earned the spoils in a tense, low scoring derby game at Fox Lane. Makinson top scored with 33 as Leyland battled to 136 for 7 in their 50 overs and then picked up 3 for 28 as Chorley’s reply ended 45 runs short.
Morecambe’s resounding seven-wicket win at home to Fleetwood featured a half century from seasoned batsman Mark Woodhead and 47 not out from skipper Mark Lomas. Earlier Graham Lee and professional Bruce Martin each picked up three wickets as Fleetwood made for 154 for 9.
Ian Allington’s superb innings of 95 spearheaded Barrow’s charge to the highest score of the day, 218 for 7 at Netherfield. The former Barrow skipper hit four sixes and eleven fours in his 133-ball innings. The hosts were hanging on for a draw at the end at 138 for 9, with Barrow professional Pasan Wanasinghe grabbing three wickets.
Lancaster enjoyed a resounding nine wicket win at Preston thanks to Michael Stevens’ superb all-round display. Stevens took 6 for 31 as Preston were routed for 73 in 30.3 overs and then hit 31 as the visitors cruised to their target in just under 25 overs.
RESULTS
Carnforth v Blackpool
Blackpool (12 pts) defeated Carnforth (2pts) by 3 wkts
Carnforth 113 all out (A Hogarth 5 for 21), Blackpool 114 for 7
Leyland v Chorley
Leyland (15pts) defeated Chorley (2pts) by 45 runs
Leyland 136 for 7 (A Makinson 33), Chorley 91 all out (A Makinson 3 for 28)
Morecambe v Fleetwood
Morecambe (12 pts) defeated Fleetwood (1pt) by 7 wickets
Fleetwood 154 for 9 (A Parker 49, G Lee 3 for 38, B Martin 3 for 55), Morecambe 158 for 3 (M Woodhead 53, M Lomas 47no)
Netherfield v Barrow
Match Drawn (Barrow 10pts, Netherfield 4pts)
Barrow 218 for 7 (I Allington 95, S Clement 3 for 49) , Netherfield 138 for 9 (P Wanasinghe 3 for 37)
Preston v Lancaster
Lancaster (12 pts) defeated Preston (0pts) by 9 wickets
Preston 73 (Bilal Asad 31, M Stevens 6 for 31), Lancaster 74 for 1 (M Stevens 31)
St Annes v Darwen
St Annes (12 pts) defeated Darwen (0pts) by 8 wickets
Darwen 124 all out (Atif Ashraf 37, S Twist 5 for 44, M Ahmed 4 for 37), St Annes 130 for 2 (S Twist 68no, Atiq Uz Zaman 52no)
SECOND DIVISION RESULTS
Barrow 2nd XI v Netherfield 2nd XI
Netherfield (12pts) defeated Barrow (0 pts) by 9 wickets
Barrow 127 all out (S Nixon 5 for 39), Netherfield 130 for 1 (J Huck 82 not out)
Blackpool 2nd XI v Carnforth 2nd XI
Blackpool (15pts) defeated Carnforth (1pt) by 171 runs
Blackpool 231 for 6 dec (S Mercer 64, A Griffiths 64, M Bradley 4 for 38), Carnforth 60 all out (W Norris 5 for 9)
Chorley 2nd XI v Leyland 2nd XI
Chorley (12pts) defeated Leyland (3 pts) by one wicket
Leyland 138 (S Parker 75, J Lee 5 for 19), Chorley 139 for 9 (T Afsal 4 for 13)
Darwen 2nd XI v St Annes 2nd XI
St Annes (12 pts) defeated Darwen (2 pts) by 9 wickets
Darwen 168 for 7 (D Bartholomew 5 for 29), St Annes 169 for 1 (S Bickerdike 81, A Kellett 62 not out)
Lancaster 2nd XI v Preston 2nd XI
Lancaster (12 pts) defeated Preston (0pts) by 6 wickets
Preston 84 all out (Moralee 6 for 34), Lancaster 85 for 4 (I Parkinson 41 not out)
Fleetwood 2nd XI v Morecambe 2nd XI
Morecambe (15pts) defeated Fleetwood (2pts) by 142 runs
Morecambe 200 for 8 (G Maje 76, N Gregson 5 for 32), Fleetwood 58 (R Smith 3 for 10, G Martins 3 for 15, G Cassidy 3 for 19)
Michael Latham's Featured Match
Blackpool v Carnforth
WINNING START FOR BLACKPOOL
Blackpool captain Paul Danson steered his side to an opening day victory at Carnforth with a superb innings of 28 not out in a thrilling low-scoring encounter.
Danson showed his experience to guide his side to victory on a slow wicket against some testing bowling from an impressive Carnforth side, who look revitalised under the leadership of Adam Hornby.
Blackpool were wobbling at 84 for 7 chasing Carnforth’s modest total of 113 but Danson, in partnership with the experienced David Newton (17 not out) saw his side through a nervous test of character.
Carnforth, with South African Wayne Madsen, the Unsworth professional, deputising for fellow countryman Ryan Bailey, had struggled despite a decent start provided by openers Darren Moore and Lewis Bradley.
Carnforth professional Wayne Madsen is suprised by a rearing delivery |
Moore (27) and Bradley (22) both played well but fell to the opening pair of Luis Reece and Richard Gleeson. And when Madsen was adjudged LBW attempting a reverse sweep against Blackpool’s Sri Lankan sub-pro Janaka Gunaratne Carnforth were struggling at 74 for 3 in the 24th over.
The innings never recovered as the medium pace of Andy Hogarth wrapped up the middle order and tail. The 21-year-old, making his debut after joining the club alongside brother Jamie from Palace Shield side Freckleton, bowled superbly to finish with figures of 5 for 21 in 10 overs as Carnforth failed to use up their allotted overs.
But Blackpool struggled in replay as an impressive opening spell from Robert Parker and Adam Cowperthwaite, backed up by tight spin bowling from Madsen and John Denwood and aggressive fielding meant that every run had to be fought for.
Gunaratne looked in good form but was unluckily run out at the non-striker’s end when a straight drive from Alex Smith deflected off bowler Madsen onto the stumps.
That left Blackpool 39 for 3 in the 18th over and when Smith was bowled by Madsen the visitors were struggling at 45 for 4.
Then came what proved to be the game-breaking incident as Danson, early in his innings, was dropped in the covers with the score on 51.
The Blackpool skipper rode his luck and grafted away to see his side to a 12-point win in bright but very cold and blustery conditions.
Blackpool captain Paul Danson plays watchfully against Carnforth pro Wayne Madsen |
John Denwood traps Andy Hogarth LBW in a tense finish |
Afterwards Danson reflected: “It was a terrific win by our side and carried on from our good form at the end of last season.
“It was important that we started the season with a positive result and at the halfway stage, after winning the toss and putting them into bat, we were happy with the situation.
“But the top started to go on the wicket and it was very difficult to score runs. Carnforth defended a low total very well and it was a case of grafting with your head down. Dave (Newton) is a very experienced player and ideal to have in that situation.
“We bowled well and Andy Hogarth got his reward for his hard work in pre-season. A five wicket haul was just reward for his efforts.”
But while Blackpool celebrated a depleted Carnforth side, missing several regular first-teamers, can build on an impressive display in the field.
Smile please - Carnforth line up for thr camera |
