By Richard Edmondson
Steven Croft in action for Blackpool this weekend |
It is another crucial weekend in The Northern Cricket League, The Readers Cup reaches the semi final stages, as the season end draws closer.
For Division One, the title race is still wide open, Barrow's win over Leyland last weekend gave them a bit of breathing space at the top of the league, however inform Lancaster and Leyland remain in contention for league honours.
Barrow will be expected to win when they host bottom side Preston at Ernest Pass, Preston have gone through the horrors this season, losing Lukman Vahaluwala during the off season really did set them back. They do possess some good players, such as Professional Soyeb Dukanwala, Ben Harrison, Sajid Patel wand Andrew Starkie.
They are a team which Barrow cannot afford to understimate. Barrow will have inform professional Jonathan Wells in action following on from his 9 wicket haul and confidence should be high.
For the other challengers, Leyland host Blackpool, the visitors playing Lancashire star Steven Croft, Leyland keen to bounce back from defeat last weekend.
Lancaster host Kendal in another interesting game, Lancaster have been in red hot form, Ben Simm taking wickets with professional Jannisar Kahn impressing with the bat.
Kendal will be without Stu Parkin who is away with Gary Baker returning from New Zealand to Captain the team. Pieter Malan will be Sub Professional for The Shap Road side, whilst Terry Hunte is just 49 runs short from reaching 20,000 Northern League runs
League holders Fleetwood travel to play Netherfield at Parkside Road, Fleetwood with a mountain to climb if they are to retain their title.
Chorley entertain St Annes, with Darwen hosting Morecambe at Birch Hall.
DIVISION TWO
Division Two is very close with Morecambe and Leyland level on points at the top, whilst Barrow are third and just 1 point behind the top two. St Annes are 4th and just 5 points off the top.
The fixtures for Division Two are as follows, top of table Morecambe take on fifth placed Darwen who are only 7 points adrift, the outcome of this match is vital to both teams. Preston entertain Barrow who are looking to get back on the winning trail
Lancaster travel to Kendal,Fleetwood take on Netherfield and St Annes entertain Chorley. The Blackpool v Leyland game will be played on 11th August
READERS CUP SEMI FINALS
It is the semi finals of The Readers Cup on Sunday as Netherfield host Blackpool whilst Leyland entertain Barrow. The final to be played at wil be played at the winners of Leyland v Barrow
The Division Two Readers Cup is also at the semi final stages as Barrow host Chorley with Fleetwood playing Darwen.
Pieter Malan Sub pro'ing for Kendal |
FIXTURES
DIVISION ONE
Wickets pitched at 1-00 pm
Barrow v Preston
Umpires -
Mr P Wright 01524 414978 / Mob 07895 004995
Mr A Wilson - 01524 68793 / Mob 07747 673815
Chorley v St Annes
Umpires -
Mr K Ashworth - 01772 632633 / Mob 07875 588291
Mr C Coxhead - 01704 513873 / Mob 07513 431222
Darwen v Morecambe
Umpires -
Mr K Hart - 01257 793837 / Mob 07812 921874
Mr R Blomfield - 01524 761306 / Mob 07711 537975
Lancaster v Kendal
Umpires -
Mr R Booth - 01253 391207
Mr B Evans - 01253 729369 / Mob 07971 641433
Leyland v Blackpool
Umpires -
Mr N Bradshaw - Mob 07710 711791
Mr C Wilson - 01524 822133 / Mob 07759 080614
Netherfield v Fleetwood
Umpires -
Mr G Parker 01524 242421 / Mob 07875 022982
Mr R Cairns 01253 728104 / Mob 07850 684309
Sunday 4th August
Readers Cup - Semi-Finals
Wickets Pitched 1-30 pm
Netherfield v Blackpool
Umpires -
Mr A Dunn 01772 746281 / Mob 07985 633095
Mr A Wilson - 01524 68793 / Mob 07747 673815
Leyland v Barrow
Umpires -
Mr K Hart - 01257 793837 / Mob 07812 921874
Mr P Watmough - 01772 615642 / Mob 07980 934329
DIVISION TWO
Wickets pitches at 12-30 pm
Blackpool v Leyland
To be played on 11th August
Fleetwood v Netherfield
Umpires -
Mr I Laurence - 01772 865649 / Mob 07710 467718
Mr T Wilson - 01772 600326 / Mob 07443 915734
Kendal v Lancaster
Umpires -
Father S Jones - 01524 732948 / Mob 07733 159557
Mr T Armer - Mob 07451 954153
Morecambe v Darwen
Umpires -
Mr G Jones - 01524 413955
Mr A Dunn 01772 746281 / Mob 07985 633095
Preston v Barrow
Umpires -
Mr S Sharples 01254 406137
Mr P Watmough - 01772 615642 / Mob 07980 934329
Stt Annes v Chorley
Umpires -
Mr K Shenton - 01253 343988 / Mob 07742 715595
Mr S Godfrey - 01253 724893 / Mob 07901 860493
Sunday 4th August
Readers Cup - Semi-Finals
Wickets Pitched 1-30 pm
Fleetwood v Darwen
Umpires -
Mr R Booth - 01253 391207
Mr Mr C Coxhead - 01704 513873 / Mob 07513 431222
Barrow Leyland
Umpires -
Mr P Wright 01524 414978 / Mob 07895 004995
Mr R Fullard 01229 839927 / 07772 587081
