Match Day 5th July 2008
3D SPORTS NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE
LEYLAND STILL LEAD, BUT BLACKPOOL CLOSE IN
By Michael Latham
Leyland retained the leadership of the 3D Sports Northern Premier League but were frustrated by the weather as they had to settle for a winning draw in the local derby with Chorley while Blackpool's 15-point victory over Carnforth saw them close the gap to just four points at the top.
Leyland professional Ameer Khan scored his second league century, an outstanding 108 not out (including 13 fours and two sixes), as his side recovered from a poor start to post an imposing 238 for 4 in a rain-reduced match at Winsor Park. The in-form Andrew Makinson (50) and Peter Cummings (41 not out) added valuable support. Khan and Makinson added 112 in a fourth-wicket stand. A Chorley side without Josh Tolley, absent on holiday to bring to an end his club record run (for an amateur) of six successive half-centuries, hung on to finish 115 for 7 with Cummings taking 4 for 40. Opener Nigel Eastham top-scored with 41, including three sixes.
Ameer Khan hit a superb century for leaders Leyland |
With Kendal inactive Blackpool took full advantage to record a convincing win over Carnforth. In a game reduced to 39 overs, professional Saj Weerakoon's 67 and Luis Reece's patient 50 helped the home side post 206 for 5. Carnforth crumbled to 102 all out in reply despite 61 from professional Ryan Bailey, a comparative failure by his recent standards. Richard Gleeson continued his outstanding season with a return of 4 for 37 and Steven Croft and Weerakoon shared the remaining wickets.
Richard Gleeson took 4 wickets as Blackpool defeated Carnforth |
Morecambe moved up to joint third after a three-wicket win at Fleetwood in a low-scoring game. Kiwi professional Bruce Martin took five for 17 and Graham Lee 3 for 9 as the home side were dismissed for 86 despite Mike Clinning's battling 33. But Fleetwood opening bowler Tom Blundell recorded 6 for 36 as Morecambe scrambled home with Martin's 32 off 32 balls proving invaluable. Morecambe wicket-keeper Damian Gudgeon claimed five victims, including four stumpings.
Kiwi pro Bruce Martin had a superb all-round game in Morecambe's win at Fleetwood |
Tom Blundell took six wickets in vain for Fleetwood |
St Annes, the defending champions, had a winning draw at Darwen in another rain-reduced game. Atiq Uz-Zaman's 78 was the highlight of their 186 for 5 off 28 overs and Darwen, despite 85 not out from professional Atif Ashraf, finished short on 163 for 2 after 25 overs as Gareth Cordingley closed in on 10,000 league runs with 47.
Preston professional Bilal Asad scored a superb 88 not out off 79 balls, including 16 fours, but his side had to settle for a winning draw in another rain-ruined game at Lune Road against Lancaster. The game at Ernest Pass was similarly rain-affected with Netherfield professional Callum Ferguson taking 4 for 24 as Barrow laboured to 51 for 5 in reply to Netherfield's 155 for 9 before the rains returned. Barrow professional Pasan Wanasinghe took 5 for 43 off 18 overs and 14-year-old leg-spinner Liam Livingstone collected 3 for 47.
RESULTS
Division One
Barrow v Netherfield
Netherfield (6pts) winning draw; Barrow (4pts)
Netherfield 155 for 9 (P Wanasinghe 5 for 43), Barrow 51 for 5 (C Ferguson 4 for 24)
Blackpool v Carnforth
Blackpool (15pts) defeated Carnforth (1pt) by 104 runs
Blackpool 206 for 5 (S Weerakoon 67, L Reece 50, A Darlington 45 not out), Carnforth 102 (R Bailey 61, R Gleeson 4 for 37)
Chorley v Leyland
Leyland (9pts) winning draw; Chorley (1pt)
Leyland 238 for 4 (Ameer Khan 108 not out, A Makinson 50, P Cummings 41 not out), Chorley 115 for 7 (N Eastham 41, P Cummings 4 for 40)
Darwen v St Annes
St Annes (7pts) winning draw; Darwen (4pts)
St Annes 186 for 5 (Atiq Uz-Zaman 78), Darwen 163 for 2 (Atif Ashraf 85 not out, G Cordingley 47)
Fleetwood v Morecambe
Morecambe (12pts) defeated Fleetwood (2pts) by 3 wickets
Fleetwood 86 (B Martin 5 for 17), Morecambe 87 for 7 (T Blundell 6 for 36)
Lancaster v Preston
Preston (6pts) winning draw; Lancaster (1pt)
Preston 165 for 3 (Bilal Asad 88 not out, L Vahaluwala 43), Lancaster 91 for 3
3D SPORTS NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Division One
| Club |
P |
W15 |
W12 |
D4 |
D1 |
L |
NR4 |
BP |
Pts |
| Leyland |
13 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
23 |
124 |
| Blackpool |
13 |
3 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
10 |
120 |
| Morecambe |
13 |
1 |
5 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
20 |
107 |
| St Annes |
13 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
25 |
107 |
| Kendal |
12 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
21 |
106 |
| CHORLEY |
13 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
20* |
97 |
| Carnforth |
13 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
1 |
22 |
86 |
| Netherfield |
13 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
4 |
1 |
26 |
83 |
| Lancaster |
13 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
0 |
39 |
82 |
| Barrow |
13 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
4 |
4 |
1 |
27 |
81 |
| Preston |
13 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
22 |
76 |
| Darwen |
13 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
6 |
1 |
26 |
69 |
| Fleetwood |
13 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
19 |
40 |
* 2 Points deducted for slow over rate
SECOND DIVISION
In Division Two leaders Chorley extended their lead at the top after Jim Lee took 5 for 14 to spearhead their 42 runs victory in a low-scoring derby game at Fox Lane against Leyland. Blackpool kept up the pressure with a six-wicket win at Carnforth, while St Annes' 12-point win over Darwen saw them move up to third.
Carnforth v Blackpool
Blackpool (12pts) defeated Carnforth (0pts) by 6 wickets
Carnforth 131 for 7 (A Armstrong 4 for 45), Blackpool 133 for 4
Leyland v Chorley
Chorley (15pts) defeated Leyland (3pts) by 42 runs
Chorley 103 (M Cottam 4 for 22), Leyland 61 (J Lee 5 for 14)
Morecambe v Fleetwood
Match abandoned (4pts each)
Fleetwood 109 (G Maartens 4 for 35), Morecambe dnb
Netherfield v Barrow
Match abandoned (4pts each)
Preston v Lancaster
Lancaster (12pts) defeated Preston (1pt) by 6 wickets
Preston 142 (J Hussain 59, S Sparks 5 for 35), Lancaster 144 for 4 (D Welbourne 51, D Smith 45 not out)
St Annes v Darwen
St Annes (12pts) defeated Darwen (4pts) by 3 wickets
Darwen 162 for 5 (G Jackson 79), St Annes 163 for 7 (G Costin 53)
3D SPORTS NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE TABLE
Division Two
| Club |
P |
W15 |
W12 |
D4 |
D1 |
L |
NR4 |
BP |
Pts |
| Chorley |
13 |
5 |
4 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
15 |
145 |
| Blackpool |
14 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
131 |
| St Annes |
13 |
1 |
5 |
3** |
2 |
1 |
1 |
26 |
120 |
| Barrow |
13 |
2 |
2 |
5** |
0 |
2 |
2 |
28 |
111 |
| Lancaster |
13 |
0 |
7 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
0 |
17 |
107 |
| Morecambe |
13 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
32 |
104 |
| Netherfield |
13 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
11 |
97 |
| Darwen |
13 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
2 |
22 |
84 |
| Leyland |
13 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
7 |
0 |
28 |
82 |
| Preston |
13 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
8 |
1 |
17 |
64 |
| Kendal |
12 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
2 |
19 |
63 |
| Fleetwood |
14 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
3 |
16 |
41 |
| Carnforth |
13 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
8 |
0 |
17 |
36 |
** Tied Match 5 pionts each
Michael Latham's Featured Match
Blackpool v Carnforth
Blackpool go second after beating Carnforth
Blackpool CC coach Mike Moore has kindly provided this report of last Saturday's Blackpool- Carnforth game at Stanley Park:
On a day when the weather threatened to be the only winner, Blackpool`s talented young cricketers provided the perfect antidote to last week`s embarrassing defeat at Chorley, when they swept aside the challenge from visitors Carnforth, in truly professional manner.
Captain Paul Danson has every right to be extremely proud of his boys, who have now moved back to 2nd place in the league only 4 points behind behind leaders Leyland. After 13 games the Seasiders have amassed 120 points, including 8 wins, 2 more than any other team in the league, testament to the positive manner in which they have approached this season`s campaign under the astute, aggressive leadership of Paul Danson, dubbed "Captain Fantastic" by the Northern League`s own Mike Latham! Quite right too!
The quality of the man`s leadership is most refreshing to observe. Where other captains seem to let the game just drift along, Danno brings his experience and guile to bear in a whole raft of different ways. Astute bowling changes combined with clever tactical field placings, often with a touch of innovation, constantly provide fresh challenges to the opposition batsmen. It really is a pleasure to have good old fashioned captaincy skills on view from the Blackpool stalwart. Every credit, Danno.
In the belief that his team, or rather pro Ryan Bailey can knock off any total set them, Carnforth skipper Hornby invited Blackpool to bat. The home team got off to a steady start via Reece (51 ) & newly appointed opener Jamie Hogarth (11 ). His dismissal with the score on 30 brought Blackpool`s home-grown county star Steven Croft to the crease.
Luis Reece gets runs on his way to a classy 51 |
Expectations were high, but after a sweetly timed 6 off the bowling of Denwood, Crofty fell next ball to a catch at mid-wicket for 13. Blackpool 51 for 2. In-form pro Saj Weerakoon ( 67 ) then entered the game and he and Reece added a lively 88 for the 3rd wicket, before Luis was run out having just reached another half century, bringing this season`s league tally to 328.
Saj Weerakoon top-scored for Blackpool |
Darlington then joined pro Saj & his new position at no. 5 in the order seemed to allow him more freedom to express himself, as he showed flashes of the Darlo of yesteryear with an aggressive 48 not out. Captain Fantastic chipped in with ANOTHER not out ( 7 ), as Blackpool`s innings, reduced to 39 overs due to the delayed start closed on a very respectable 206 for 5.
In light of pro Ryan Bailey`s success so far this season, Carnforth must have felt confident of passing this challenging total, especially as they knocked off 258 last week against our neighbours St. Annes, where Bailey dominated the 2nd half proceedings with another fine century.
However Blackpool and paceman Richard Gleeson in particular had other ideas. In the 1st over of the innings Steven Croft trapped skipper Hornby in front of all 3 & from thereon the home side never looked back. Croft ( 3 for 36 ) & Gleeson ( 4 for 37 ) proved too much for the Carnforth hopefuls, despite some classy resistance from Bailey ( 61 ), one of the best batsmen our league has seen for many years.
Tom Barnfield is bowled by Richard Gleeson |
Popular pro Saj Weerakoon ( 3 for 22 ) completed another succesful all-round performance by polishing off the remainder of the Carnforth innings, including the much- prized scalp of Ryan Bailey, caught on the cover boundary by Luis Reece , much to the relief of Jamie Hogarth!
Ryan Bailey was in the runs again |
This now sets up a fascinating fixture next Saturday, When Danno`s boys travel to Fox Lane to take on current leaders Leyland, followed by a home tie against Barrow on the Sunday in the 2nd round of the Thwaites Cup.
On today`s showing Blackpool should fear no-one and should be relishing the double challenge of the coming weekend. What a great night in the club afterwards with a fantastic "curry tasting" night . There was a bit more than curry being tasted I can assure you!! Congratulations to Mim & co. Terrific.
Michael Latham's Featured Division 2 Match
Carnforth v Blackpool
Blackpool win at Carnforth
Blackpool 2nd XI captain Andy Griffiths has kindly supplied the report of his side's game against Carnforth
Blackpool visited Carnforth with a poor forecast and the expected morning rain fall looking like it would continue into the afternoon, but on arrival at Carnforth's picturesque ground, the rain abated and after a mop up operation, during which 7 overs were initially lost from each side's allocation, ensured a 43-over contest could commence at 13:45.
On winning the toss, stand-in captain Steve Mercer asked Carnforth to bat, and it was not long before in-form Andy Armstrong was adding to his wickets tally, in his search for beating last season's total. Tomlinson (5) and Relph (4) were clean bowled, and Moore (16) and Russell (8) caught behind by young wicket-keeper Ben Heath, who is looking more assured behind the stumps with every game.
Alex Smith, given the opportunity to find his form of confidence with a rare second team appearance (first of season), was given the new ball and also picked up an early victim when Preston (3) edged behind, Heath once more taking the catch. When Whincup (2) was adjudged LBW to veteran off-spinner David Booth, Carnforth were in a perilous position at 50-6.
Their position worsened as a fired up Chris Taylor removed Alex Benson (13), but from 67-7 a stand developed, which either side of a rain break amounted to an unbroken 8th wicket stand of 64, with captain Lee Potter
(39 not out) and Gerry Baxendale (33 not out) showing the track did not
necessarily hold any demons, and at the end of the 41 overs (reduced by 2 more with brief rain stoppage!) Carnforth finished on 131-7.
Andy Armstrong, once more, was the pick of the bowlers, and although suffering in his second spell when the 5th wicket eluded him, he returned excellent figures of 4-45 off 16 overs, 6 of which were maidens.
If the doom and gloom were to hold off long enough this would never be a testing total on a proverbial batsmen's paradise, and so it proved as Blackpool cantered to victory losing 4 wickets in the process, in the main as the dark storm clouds threatened and the accelerator was pressed.
Veteran opener Dave Newton once more impressed with 31, Knocker Wall was LBW for 12, Alex Smith took the opportunity to show his class with an effortless 37 which will see him resume 1st XI duties next weekend, and Steven Mercer was the last man out for 24, leaving Robin Bracewell 13 not out and Michael Penney 1 not out to finish the game in the 24th over.
Another 12 points to keep up the challenge at the top of the table – Well Done!
|
