Preview of Weekend 1st and 2nd September 2012 By Richard Edmondson Kendal's Stu Parkin, in bowling action as he aims for more wickets in a pivotal weekend for the team from Shao Road DIVISON 1 Only 3 games are left in The Northern Cricket League, as Barrow, Fleetwood and Kendal continue to battle it out for The League title. With the destination of the title still uncertain, the outcome of this weekends games could go along way into forming a clearer picture of where the title is likely to end up. For League Leaders Barrow they face a difficult away test at Netherfield, Barrow were thankful to the rain last weekend as they were saved from defeat at Kendal. Barrow who were struggling on 57-8 chasing Kendal's 144, will be aiming for an improved performance at Parkside Road. The leaders go into the game without Professional Vaughn Van Jaarsveld, whos now gone home, meaning that Pieter Malan (last seasons Pro), will deputise for the game. The Barrow team as they look to stretch their lead at the top For Netherfield, they are still to announce who will Sub Po following Cobus Pienaars departure, whilst Captain John Mason will be playing his last game for the club before leaving for a teaching job in Sussex. Second placed Fleetwood also face a difficult challenge when they travel to face St Annes at Vernon Road. Fleetwood were frustrated by the rain last Saturday, whilst they had no game on the Bank Holiday Monday. St Annes will be determined to finish their season on a high after having a very difficult campaign, this is also the last season for both Dinuk Hettiarachchi and Atiq Uz Zaman with both aiming to finish on a high. Kendal who were left frustrated with the rain travel to face Chorley at Windsor Park, with South African Mike Smith deputising as sub Pro for Chris Miller's team. Smith who pro's for Middleton in The Central Lancashire League will be looking to help Kendal as they continue to challenge at the top. In the other games, Leyland host Lancaster, Carnforth entertain Darwen, and Morecambe host Blackpool. Preston have the weekend off On Sunday, Chorley entertain the Lancashire Colts, whilst Barrow are in Cup action as they play Cockermouth in the County Cup Semi Finals. DIVISION 2 It's a two way battle for the league with both Leyland and Barrow fighting it out at the top. Both face tricky encounters, with Leyland travelling to Lancaster, whilst Barrow entertain Netherfield at The Ernest Pass Memorial Ground. Barrow are also playing on Sunday in The John Scott Cup Final where they will be facing Workington. *Please note that Fleetwood 2nds will be playing St Annes 2nds at Preston's West Cliff Ground and not Broadwater* FIXTURES DIVISION 1 12-30 PM start Carnforth v Darwen Chorley v Kendal Leyland v Lancaster Morecambe v Blackpool Netherfield v Barrow St Annes v Fleetwood Preston: No Game DIVISION 2 12-30 PM start Barrow v Netherfield Blackpool v Morecambe Darwen v Carnforth Kendal v Chorley Lancaster v Leyland Fleetwood v St Annes - (at West Cliff, Preston) Sunday 2nd September League Division 1 12-30 PM start Chorley v Lancashire Colts Readers Cup Final Division 1 Shap Road Kendal 1-00pm start Kendal v Fleetwood Cumbria Cup Semi Final Barrow v Cockermouth Readers Cup Final Division 2 Vernon Road St Annes 1-00pm start St Annes v Leyland John Scott Cup Final Barrow v Workington Readers Cup Final Preview Kendal and Fleetwood go head to head at Shap Road Lou Vincent sub pro for Kendal in Sundays huge cup final clash SUNDAY 2nd SEPTEMBER READERS CUP FINAL KENDAL V FLEETWOOD SHAP ROAD, KENDAL 1-00PM START Two inform teams lock horns at Shap Road this Sunday as Kendal play host to Fleetwood in The Readers Cup Final. Kendal earned the right to host the finals after defeating former Cup Holders Leyland in the semi finals by 132 runs. Both sides have been in red hot form , with Fleetwood sitting 2nd in the table,and Kendal currently in 3rd place. A look at the finalists KENDAL: Captain: Chris Miller, Professional: Jamie How This is the final game of the season for Jamie How who returns to New Zealand, after having a successful second season at Shap Road. How who has posted 1094 runs will be looking to end his time at Kendal on a winning note. Kendal have really turned their form around, ever since the defeat to Netherfield in June,Kendal have won 7 of the last 9 league encounters. A run of form which sees them in third place. The team from Shap Road will be looking to come out on top after finishing runners up in this competition last season Chris Miller's view on the final" Fleetwood have beaten us pretty convincingly this year, and we have a bit of a cup final hoodoo having finished runners up in our last three finals so I am a little bit nervous". "But it's Jamie's last game before he flies back to New Zealand, so we'll be hoping to give him a good send off" Kendal's Readers Cup Journey Sunday 24th June: Preston (H) (Round 1) Preston 125, Kendal 126 - 6 Kendal won by 4 wickets Jamie How 3-37,Stuart Nelson 3-25, Terry Hunte* 44 off 52 balls Sunday 5th August: Morecambe (A) (1/4 finals) Kendal 118 - 9, Morecambe 103 Kendal won by 15 runs Jamie How 26, Graham Baker 22, Stu Parkin 3-17, Chris Miller 3-14 Sunday 12th August: Leyland (A) (Semi Finals) Kendal 198 - 4, Leyland 66 Kendal won by 132 runs Jack White 43 off 46 balls and 3-19, Graham Baker 33 off 51 balls, Chris Miller 4-11 Fleetwood's Lee Jones keeps wicket, as Fleetwood look for another trophy after their TWP Wealth Twenty-20 finals day success FLEETWOOD: Captain: Mat Clark, Professional: Shaun Liebisch Fleetwood have been in scintilating form all season, currently second in the league, and also the winners of The TWP Wealth Twenty-20 Trophy. The team from Broadwater are in a 3 way battle for the title, and have been one of the surprise packages for 2012 The team from Broadwater reached the final after defeating Darwen by 56 runs last Sunday Fleetwood's Readers Cup Journey: Sunday 1st July, Lancaster (H), (Round 1) Fleetwood 117 - 6, Lancaster 146 Fleetwood won by 31 runs Naveed Yousaf 61 off 85 balls and 4-36, Adam Sharrocks 46 off 44 balls Sunday 22nd July, Barrow (H), (1/4 Finals) Fleetwood 149, Barrow 122 Fleetwood won by 27 runs Shaun Liebisch 40 off 56 balls, Sam Bell 3-28 Sunday 12th August, Darwen (H), (Semi Finals) Fleetwood 173 - 6, Darwen 117 Fleetwood won by 56 runs Adam Parker 50 off 77 balls, Keiran Mc Gann 3-15, Chris Stanhope 3-26 *Their will be live Twitter updates throughout the afternoon on The Northern Cricket League Twitter Page. Kendal will also be posting live updates via their Twitter page, so for any one thats unable to attend please keep checking the Twitter updates throughout the afternoon* Article by Richard Edmondson

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