Leyland went top of the Chorley Building Society Northern Premier League after winning the battle of the top two, whilst Blackpool close in with victory over Preston in an action packed afternoon of the Northern Cricket League.
Leyland won the crucial battle of the top two defeating Darwen by 68 runs, leapfrogging the team from Birch Hall into top spot. In what was billed as the game of the afternoon, David Makinson's team batted first and posted 148 for nine off 50 over’s. Henry Thompson was top run scorer with 57 off 101 balls.
Andrew Makinson batting at number 8 also scored runs and he ended on 28 off 52 balls. Darwens professional George Linde was the main wicket taker for Jordan Clarke’s team as he returned figures of 4-27 and in reply Darwen were skittled out for 80 in just 29.2 over’s. Karl Cross returning figures of 5-23.
Blackpool’s charge for the league title continued after winning by 69 runs at Preston. Paul Danson’s team put themselves in at West Cliff, as they were bowled out for 172 in 49.1 overs. Matthew Houston the top scorer with 40. Preston skipper Saeed Bariwala returning figures of 6-30.
In reply Preston were all out for 103 off 40 overs, Richard Gleeson 4-24 and Christi Viljeon 3-25. Saeed Bariwala the top scorer with 53 off 103 balls.
Fleetwood picked up a much needed victory after defeating Kendal by 54 runs at Broadwater. Mat Clark’s team, batted first and posted a more than competitive total of 193-9 off 50 overs. Adam Sharracks the top run getter with 77 while Adam Parker also chipped in with 33.
Chris Stanhope also added 20 runs, whilst Kendal skipper Stu Parkin continued his good form returning figures of 3-37.
In reply, Kendal were in deep trouble at 97 for eight, before being bowled out for 139 in 39.2 overs. Adam Parker ripped through Kendals batting with figures of 6-49 though Kendal offered late resistance through Nick Lewthwaite with 32 and Chris Miller with 20.
Barrow bounced back from some bad results with a much needed five wicket win over Lancaster at Ernest Pass. Lancaster were all out for 120 in 39.4 overs, despite the best efforts of professional Michael Barry who top scored with 78.
However Barrow captain Daryl Wearing was in good form, returning figures of 5-24, Indian professional Kaustubh Pawar also impressed with figures of 4-36.
In reply, Barrow knocked the runs off in 36.1 overs, closing on 123 for five.Ryan Brown with 45, Sam Dutton with 41, whilst Graham Dawson closed with an unbeaten 25.
Netherfield pick up 12 points after a comfortable 8 wicket win over Chorley at Parkside Road. Chorley won the toss and opted to bat as they were bowled out for 137 in 49 overs, Nathan Chambers returning figures of 5-41. Chorleys David Fisher the top scorer with 35 off 85 balls.
In reply, Netherfield knocked the runs off in 24.5 overs, closing on 141 for two. Marc Brown hit an unbeaten 52 off 67 balls, whilst John Huck scored a quick fire 33 off 16 balls.
St Annes cruised to a 6 wicket win at Morecambe in a low scoring encounter, Toby Bulcock ripping through Morecambes batting with figures of 4-23 as Tommy Clough’s team were skittled out for 83 in 41.2 overs.
In reply St Annes knocked the runs off in 22 overs closing on 84 for four. Lukman Vahaluwala with 41 off 32 balls.