Local cricket round-up

The two title challengers met at Factory Lane, but it was the visitors, who held sway thanks to a comprehensive 81-run win.

Asked to bat, Garstang were indebted to three excellent knocks from the three brothers Michael Walling (61), skipper Mark Walling (31) and Ian Walling (40).

None of the other batsmen could reach double figures as both Matthew Timms and Paul Hayton took four wickets each.

Michael and Mark shared a 100-run partnership for the second wicket and Ian pushed the total to 190 before they were all out in the final over.

In reply, Vernons were bowled out for 109 after 31.3 overs as Ian Walling (4-22) and Danny Gilbert (4-15) ran through the card. Only James McDonagh (46) and Ben Duerden (22) offered any kind of resistance

Hot on the heels of Garstang at the top of the tableare reigning champions Fulwood and Broughton, who moved into second spot – three points behind.

F&B batted first and posted a decent total of 165-7, with Charlie Rossiter (34), Zakaria Patel (29) and Rob Dingle (29) contributed well. Thomas Wilkinson was the pick of the bowlers with 3-43.

In reply, Eccleston fought hard but they were eventually dismissed for 130, with Wilkinson displaying his all-round abilities, scoring 30. Charlie Brookes took 4-38.

Longridge slippedfrom first to third after a surprising defeat at home to Penwortham.

An excellent unbeaten knock of 66 from Martin Hewitt was the mainstay of the visitors total of 127-8 . Ian Simpson and Neil Holden took four and three wickets respectively.

In reply, the home side were bowled out for a paltry 92 as Andrew Sidgreaves (4-33) and Ashley Billington (3-25) did the damage with the ball.

Bottom side Freckleton look doomed to relegation after they auffered their 13th defeat of the season at Croston – put to the sword by a brilliant century from Sam Marsh.

James (59) and Edward Fiddler (37 shared a 67-run partnership for the third wicket as Freck posted 142all out Keith marsh took 4-50.

In reply, Marsh and opening partner Stephen Langton guided the home side to victory without loss

Rufford looked set fro the drop as like Freckleton, they have registered just one win all season. They were well beaten by Thornton Cleveleys b y seven wickets.

In the final match of the weekend, Great Eccleston overhauled Torrisholme’s score 148 for the loss of three wickets. Mohamed Nadeem scored scored 70.

Meanwhile, Chorley maintained their faint Northern League Division One title hopes courtesy of a fine win over St Annes on Saturday at Windsor Park.

Andrew Holdsworth’s men are in second spot in the table, 33 points behind leaders Netherfield with six games of the season to go.

The home side won the toss and elected to field first, but they were made to work hard for their wickets as the visitors posted 157 all out from 46.1 overs.

Nathan Armstrong top scored with an excellent half-centur, while Edwin Moulton and Chris Harty took three wickets apiece. Matthew Grindley took 4-51 in Chorley’s reply, but the home team comfortably reached their victory target for the loss of five wickets.

Kyle Dixon top scored with an unbeaten 48, while Gayan Maneeshan and Edwin Moulton both scored 28

Leyland were unable to do their neighbours a favour as they were well beaten by Netherfield at Fox Lane.

David Makinson’s men were were let down by a poor batting display after their skipper had won the toss and elected to bat.

Only three btasmen could reach double figures, with opener Tom Reece top scoring with 28.

The home side were dismissed for a paltry 83 off 46.3 overs.

In reply, Netherfield cruised to victory for the loss of one wicket with Bradley Earl dominating the scoring.

He finished unbeaten on 77 – a knock which included 10 fours and four sixes.

Preston enjoyed a crushing 96-run win over Barrow at West Cliff.

Geeth Malinda(46) and Lukman Vahaluwala (32) helped the home side post a competitive total of 156 all out. In reply, Vahaluwala and Andrew Starkie had the visitors in all sorts of trouble as they were all out for just 60.

Vahaluwala finished up with 5-34 while Starkie returned hugely impressive figures of 5-19.

Elsewhere, Blackpool were comfortable winners over Kendal at Shap Road.

The visitors posted 132 all out with Ben Haworth top socoring with 29. Chris Miller took 4-34.

Tom Jefferson then took 5-19 as the home side were routed for 67 inside 333 overs.

Morecambe gave their hopes of avoiding relegation a boost as they defeated Fleetwood at Broadwater.

A half-century from Neels Bergh was the only bright spark of Fletetwood’s score total of 88. Daryn Smit took 6-22.

Joseph McCluskie took three wickets for the home side,but Morecambe cruised to victory with seven wickets to spare.

In the final match of the weekend, Penrith enjoyed a narrow 10-run win over Lancaster at Tynedale. Greg Hall’s 49 helped the hosts post 124 all out and Jessie Dinnie (4-29) bowled Penrith to victory.