READERS CUP FINALS 2nd SEPTEMBER 2012 By Richard Edmondson Kendal crowned 2012 Division 1 Readers Cup Winners Leyland Readers Cup Winners for Division 2 Kendal Readers Cup Champions 2012 KENDAL v FLEETWOOD Kendal won the 2012 Readers Cup after overcoming Fleetwood by 3 wickets in a tense final at a jam packed Shap Road. Victory followed plenty of celebrations for a team that finished runners up in this competition last season. Fleetwood were put in by the hosts as they made a solid start with both Adam Parker and Mike Clinning. The visitors caused plenty of frustration for Kendal, however the game swung on a bowling change when Chris Miller brought himself into the attack. As Fleetwood were going along nicely, Miller managed to force the first break through when he bowled Adam Parker for 25 off 37 balls. Once Parker went the wickets started to fall, as Chris Miller soon got rid of Dean Bell for 0, Mike Clinning who batted well for his 21 then fell to man of the match Nick Lewthwaite, before Naveed Yousaf was caught by Gary Baker off another delivery by Chris Miller. Fleetwood then continued to lose further wickets at a regular rate as Adam Sharrocks,Mark Wilkinson, and Chris Stanhope fell leaving the visitors on 91-7. Sub pro Lou Vincent then grabbed the wicket of Shaun Leibisch, with a late cameo from the tail before the visitors were all out for 123. Chris Miller in scintilating form taking 5-43 with Nick Lewthwaite also impressing with figures of 3-10. Chris Miller with 5 wickets With a below par score, Kendal got off to the worst possible start losing Nick Phillips first ball as Shaun Leibisch bowled him. Jack White was then run out before Lou Vincent and then Terry Hunte fell leaving Kendal on 63-4. With Kendal in trouble, and losing wickets upstepped Nick Lewthwaite who hit an unbeaten 46 off 83 balls, as Kendal claimed victory in 37.5 overs reaching 127-7. A Memorable victory for everyone connected at Shap Road, as Nick Lewthwaite was voted Man of the Match. Nick Lewthwaite Man of The Match Also special praise has to go everyone at Kendal Cricket Club for making the afternoon such a fantastic occasion. The club put alot of hard work into making it a fantastic afternoon The celebrations begin The Kendal team pictured with Lou Vincent outside his famous Caravan (photo courtesy of Kendal Cricket Club) ST ANNES v LEYLAND Leyland retained the Division Two Readers Cup with a commanding performance against St Annes that saw them record a 163 run victory on Sunday 2nd September 2012. Early morning drizzle gave way to a fine afternoon as the match was played out in excellent conditions in front of a large crowd including a health travelling contingent from Leyland. St Annes's Vernon Road ground was, as has come to be expected, in immaculate condition; a credit to the groundstaff and a showcase for their obvious pride in its preparation and maintenance. On winning the toss St Annes captain David Bartholomew, aware that the wicket was unlikely to deteriorate, stuck to his sides winning formula from their semi-final victory over Barrow by asking Leyland to bat first. The visitors made a cautious start against the youthful St Annes opening attack of Mitchell Bolus and Alex Naylor. Naylor made the deserved breakthrough when he tempted Ian Dickinson into a drive only for the ball to find his outside edge and be caught behind by David Watson to leave Leyland 19 for 1. Nathan McDonnell and Chris Parkinson steadily built momentum in the Leyland innings and they were particularly quick to dispatch any short pitched bowling and ran well between the wickets. At the mid innings drinks break Leyland were well placed on 102 for 1. McDonnell signalled his side's intention to accelerate the scoring rate by hitting Bartholomew for a straight six immediately after the resumption of play. The introduction of Greg Whitehead into the bowling attack pegged Leyland back as he dismissed McDonnell for 48 and broke the second wicket partnership of 118. Whitehead also had Tom Reece caught behind and ended Parkinson's fine knock when he caught and bowled the opening batsman for 83. Bartholomew further pulled his side back into the game with a tidy spell of off spin that brought him the wickets of James Rounding and Jake Peake and cost him 36 runs from 8 overs. From 202 for 5 Leyland wicketkeeper Tom Murray and captain Ian Farrington were able to add a whirlwind unbroken partnership of 57 in the final 5 overs of their innings. Farrington remained unbeaten on 43 made from 22 balls faced and hit two sixes, including one from the final ball of the innings as Leyland closed on an imposing 259 for 6 from their allocated 40 overs. The St Annes reply got off to the worst possible start when opening batsman Andrew Jarvis was caught at slip by Farrington off the bowling of Steven Pallett for a duck to leave the home side 0 for 1. Despite his experience Stephen Cartwright displayed some nerves with the ball as Mark Emsley and Callum Jones looked to rebuild the St Annes innings. Both batsmen were undone by James Rounding's extra pace which saw them both caught at point trying to hook. Veteran wicketkeeper batsman Watson offered some resistance but two wickets in two balls from Jake Peake reduced St Annes to 69 for 6. McDonnell completed a fine all round game as he picked up five wickets and sealed victory by having last man Jake Higson well caught by Peake for a duck as St Annes were dismissed for 96 in 28.3 overs. Northern League President Brian Standing was on hand to conduct the presentation ceremony after the match. For his fine innings of 83 that laid the foundations of Leyland's victory Brian selected Chris Parkinson as man of the match.

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