DIVISION ONE
READERS CUP
SEMI- FINALS
Leyland and Blackpool will meet in the Readers Cup Final this Sunday for the right to be crowned 2013 Readers Cup Champions.
Both Leyland and Blackpool had to overcome tough opponents with Leyland defeating Barrow and Blackpool beating Netherfield
Here is a round up of the two semi final matches
Leyland v Barrow
Leyland will host the Readers Cup Final after defeating Barrow by 5 wickets, in a rain affected contest.
Barrow scored 221-4 off their 40 overs, Ryan Brown with an unbeaten 132 off 131 balls, whilst Jonathan Wells impressed with 66 off 79 balls. Andrew Makinson with 2-36, and Devan Conway 2-46 were Leyland's best bowlers
The rain came and Leyland were set a revised score of 177 off 32 overs, the hosts knocking the runs off the runs with 1 ball to spare, closing on 180-5.
Chris Parkinson with 70 off 73 balls setting the platform and Henry Thompson with an unbeaten 36 off 26 balls saw Leyland home. Daryl Wearing taking 2-27 for the visitors
Netherfield v Blackpool
Blackpool overcame Netherfield by 2 wickets in a controversial encounter at Parkside Road.
The visitors were awarded 6 penalty runs during the second innings, as they were chasing Netherfield's score of 228 - 3. The 6 runs meaning Blackpool needed 1 run to win from the last over.
The penalty points awarded as Netherfield were 5 minutes late in getting all their overs in on time despite several warnings by the umpires. Danny Gilbert getting the 1 run needed with Blackpool winning with 229-8 off 39.2 overs.
Earlier Netherfield batted well and closed on 228-3, Marc Brown top scored with 68 off 85 balls, whilst Ben Barrow reached a half century with 59 off 75 balls.
John Huck scoring quickly for an unbeaten 59 off just 43 balls. The stunning knock included 5 four's and 4 sixes. Danny Gilbert 2-45 and Stephen Twist taking 1-27 bowled well for Blackpool
In Blackpool's reply, despite losing Stephen Twist who was caught and bowled by Scott Clement, both Liam Livingstone and Steven Croft impressed with Croft top scoring with 84 off 106 balls and Livingstone also batting well for 76 off 56 balls.
Netherfield slowed them down taking wickets, Colin Ackermann the pick of the bowlers with 3-58.
Blackpool were awarded the penalty runs so from being on 222-8, they found the scores level, Danny Gilbert booking Blackpools place in the final scoring the required run to win.
Alf Dunn who umpired the game with Andrew Wilson, umpired his 500th match
Steven Croft in action for Blackpool |
DIVISION TWO
READERS CUP
SEMI-FINALS
Fleetwood v Darwen
Fleetwood will face Leyland in the Division Two Readers Cup Final after defeating Darwen by 8 wickets.
Fleetwood bowled Darwen out in 34 overs for 116, Doing the damage were Tom Wilson with figures of 3-4 and Adam Breakall and Alex Ryder taking 2 wickets each. Michael Douglas top scoring with 29 for the visitors.
In reply, Fleetwood knocked the runs off in 30.5 overs, Wayne Clarke and Tom Wilson both unbeaten on 49.
Barrow v Leyland
Leyland defeated Barrow by 7 wickets, Barrow were all out for 139 in 40 overs. Michael Wellings top scoring with 44. Andrew Jacques 3-30 and Ian Farrington 3-27 the main wicket takers for Leyland
The rain came in as Leyland needed a revised total of 87 to win, They achieved this in 23.3 overs Tom Reece unbeaten on 21, Emma Lamb with 14 leading the chase. Ian Allington took 2-26 for the hosts.
