Palace Shield & Northern League round-up

Mark Smith’s men enjoyed a comprehensive victory over reigning champions Great Eccleston, who endured a nightmare start to the defence of their title.

Having elected to bat first, F&B piled on the runs in the first innings with Smith (38), Charlie Rossitter (32) and Richard Turner (47) enabling them to close on 200-9.

In reply, Great Ecc were routed for 62 as Usman Sadaqat impressed with the ball, taking five wickets for just six runs.

It proved to be a fine weekend all-round for F&B as they also progressed in the ECB National Knockout Championship by getting the better of Edgeworth on Sunday.

There were no slip-ups on the opening day for last year’s runners-up Garstang, who had too much for Thornton Cleveleys at Illawalla.

Put in to bat, the visitors lost a couple of early wickets but some excellent batting by skipper Mark Walling (37) and Matthew Crowther (57) enabled Garstang to close on 196-8. Daniel Howard performed well with the ball, taking 6-47.

Five wickets for just 26 runs from Ian Walling put the brakes on the home side’s reply as they were dismissed for 151 inside the 41st over. Rob Dingle top scored with 46.

Garstang made it two wins out of two over the weekend as they made progress in the ECB National Club Championship by beating Lytham at the Riverside.

Having restricted the Liverpool Competition outfit to 144-7, Walling’s men got over the line with two wickets to spare. Freckleton, who finished third last summer, served noticed of their intentions this season with a comprehensive nine-wicket victory over promoted Torrisholme at Boundary Meadow.

Joshua Holden took 5-15 as the home side were dismissed for 133. James Ferguson (46) and Chris Parry (33) were the top scorers.

Despite losing an early wicket, Freckleton eased home with 11 overs to spare thanks to a 136-run partnership between Ashley Moreau (54) and Holden (70).

There was double joy for Longridge as they enjoyed overwhelming wins over Fylde on Saturday and Morecambe a day later in the ECB National Knockout.

Ian Simpson, Rory McDowell and Alex Mason took three wickets apiece as Fylde were bowled out for 121.

In reply, James Whitehead’s 51 and 42 from Simpson allowed Longridge to win at a canter. A day earlier, Kyle Helm’s men were as equally impressive as they took care of Northern League outfit Morecambe by nine wickets.

Elsewhere in the Palace Shield, recent past champions Vernon Carus and Penwortham had good wins on the opening day.

Vernons posted a huge 231-5 against Whittingham and Goosnargh at Factory Lane with Ian Dunn (62) and Wes Royle (69) among the runs.

In reply, Ben Llewellin, Paul Hayton and Joe Allen took three wickets apiece as the visitors were all out for 206.

Penwortham routed Croston for just 82 at Middleforth Green with Jonathon Hothersall taking five wickets.

In reply, Jack Aspden struck 45 as the home side cruised to victory.

Chorley kicked off the season impressively with wins in the Northern League and National Knockout.

They beat Kendal by three wickets in the league, then saw off Blackpool by one run in a thrilling cup clash.

Their visit to Shap Road saw plenty of runs, Kendal batting first and putting 203 all out on the board.

Chorley’s winning reply was spearheaded by sub pro Bilal Khilijee and opener Andrew Holdsworth.

Khilijee stuck an unbeaten 103 off 126 balls, scoring 11 fours and two sixes.

His stand with Holdsworth was worth 113 runs, the former skipper weighing in with 62.

Chorley clinched victory in the 50th over for the loss of seven wickets.

On Sunday, they squeezed past Blackpool at Stanley Park to progress in the National Knockout, a competition they won twice in the 1990s.

A half-century from Stuart Naden and Saeed Bariwala’s knock of 42 helped them to a first-innings tally of 173 all out.

In reply, Blackpool got to 172-8, Bariwala and James Lee claiming three wickets each.

Leyland made a winning start to their league campaign, beating Preston by 57 runs.

Electing to bat first on their Fox Lane track, they were 164 all out, Andrew Makinson scoring 47 and Karl Cross 46.

Preston were 107 all out in reply, David Makinson taking 4-16, with Cross and Nathan McDonell claiming two apiece.

Morecambe’s title defence started with a draw against Penrith at Woodhill Lane.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, last season’s champions were 230 all out.

Sub-pro Brett Hutton struck a century, his 114 including three sixes and 10 fours.

Also in decent form with the bat was Gareth Pedder, the opener hitting 58.

Penrith replied with 202-9, holding on to their last wicket to claim a draw.

There was a landmark moment in Lancaster’s victory over Netherfield.

Off-spinner Benn Simm claimed his 500th first-team wicket when trapping John Huck leg before.

Netherfield were replying to Lancaster’s 117 all out when Simm struck.

Simm posted 2-31 with Steven Mullaney claiming 5-37 as the visitors were dismissed for 107.

Blackpool won on their visit to Darwen by 35 runs.

Batting first at Birch Hall, the visitors were 149 all out.

Stephen Twist top-scored with 60 and Andy Furniss added 20.

Darwen were 114 all out in reply, Rudi Second hauling in 6-31 and Jamie Thomson claiming 3-35.

Fleetwood were eight-wicket winners away at Barrow.

They bowled out their hosts for 86, with Adam Parker taking 4-4 in a seven-over spell.

Fleetwood chased down their target relatively easily, Travis Dean scoring an unbeaten 63.