By Richard Edmondson
Leyland join Lancaster in The TWP Wealth T-20 finals day on July 15th after successfully finishing top of The South 2 group
David Makinsons team successfully picked up the 2 away wins they needed as they faced trips to both Darwen and Chorley.
In Monday's trip to Darwen, Leyland picked up the 1st of their 2 victories after winning by 9 wickets at Birch Hall.
Leyland putting Darwen in and restricting them to 92-8 off 20, good bowling by Captain David Makinson ( 3-17), as well as key wickets by Andrew Makinson (2-7), Luis Reece (2-14) and David Fisher doing the damage.
In reply Leyland eased home in just 12.5 overs, thanks to an unbeaten 52 off 36 by Luis Reece with Leyland reaching 93-1
On Friday night Leyland sealed their passage to The TWP T-20 Finals after an 11 run win at Chorley.
In a low scoring game Leyland were all out for 78 in 18.1 overs, Iain Critchley with 3-7!. With Chorley confident of chasing such a low total, Leyland responded by bowling the hosts out for 67.
Henry Thompson returning with figures of 4-10, Luis Reece also contributing with 3-11. Brett Pelser ( 1-11), James Rounding (1-13) and Andrew Makinson (1-6), also claimed vital wickets
In the other South 2 group game Chorley defeated Darwen by 5 wickets in the Tuesday night fixture. Darwen all out for 85, John Cordingley with 32 off 47.
4 wickets fell in the final over of Darwen's inning's which proved crucial in the outcome of the game.
Chris Harty, Will Moulton, and Iain Critchley with 2 wickets each, with Billy Smith and Gaurav Dhar taking a wicket a piece
Chorley reached 86-5 in reply, Alex Howarth with 28 off 29 and Gaurav Dhar with an unbeaten 28 off 25. Shaun De Kock the top wicket taker with figures of 3-16
South 2 Group
The South 2 group will be decided this week with Fleetwood and Blackpool both facing each twice in 2 days, for the right to host this years finals.
Fleetwood currently top the Group after winning both of their matches, and know that 1 win from the remaning 2 with Blackpool will seal their position as hosts for the final.
For Blackpool they have to win both of their games for the right to host the finals at Stanley Park.
Blackpool have given themselves a chance after a 53 run midweek win over St Annes at Vernon Road.
Nicholas Wall with 46 off 54 as Blackpool set St Annes a target of 132
In reply St Annes were all out for 79 in 19.1 overs, as Ben Eckton was on top form taking 4-19
North 1 Group:
Netherfield are in pole position for the finals, however Barrow are still to play a game after seeing all of their 3 Twenty/20 matches rained off.
There is some uncertainty as into what happens next in this group, Netherfield top the group by 4 points and are now waiting on Barrow.
I think a likely scenario is for points to be awarded in both the Netherfield and Barrow games, meaning that Barrow would need to beat Kendal twice to qualify.
So for the moment watch this space as everything gets decided
