Watson in seventh heaven as Vernons humbled for nine

The Factory Lane outfit have endured a difficult time since winning promotion from the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield last year.

They currently sit rock-bottom of the table, cut adrift from the rest – and their season plunged new depths as they failed to reach double figures as a team on their own patch.

Watson finished up with more wickets than runs conceded, returning figures of 7-6 while Jacques took 3-3.

Kasun Ekanayake Mudiyanselage top scored with four not out alongside Jacob Holland (4). They at least occupied the crease for a period unlike the rest of the batsmen who contributed two runs in total between them.

Wicketkeeper Alex Williams took four catches as Vernons innings lasted just 12.5 overs with not a single boundary hit.

In reply, the visitors took less than five overs to seal victory, although they did lose two wickets.

Karl Cross was the highest run scorer in the match, hitting two fours to finish eight not out.

Chorley dented reigning champions Blackpool’s title hopes with a fine four-wicket win at Windsor Park on Saturday.

Edwin Moulton took 4-16 and Ian Oakes chipped in with two wickets as the visitors could only muster 113 all out. Dylan Henshall top scored with 36.

Andrew Holdsworth (30) batted well at the top of the order but Matthew Grindley took four wickets as the hosts slipped to 59-6.

Fortunately, Edwin Moulton (30 not out) and Joseph Tiffin (27 not out) steadied the ship to ease Chorley to victory with nearly nine overs to spare.

Leaders Garstang’s title quest remains firmly on track after a convincing eight-wicket win over Penrith at the Riverside.

Captain Danny Gilbert took 5-29 and Ian Walling 3-22 as the visitors were all out for 89. Punit Bisht (38 not out) and Mark Walling (36 not out) ensured Garstang cruised to victory in reply.

Fulwood and Broughton are the Riversiders nearest challengers after a comprehensive eight-wicket victory over an out-of-sorts Longridge at Highfield.

Sonal Dinusha took 4-11 as the visitors were dismissed for 121. Rhys Morgan and Zac Christie hit 31 and 34 respectively. Matthew Smith hit 38 in reply while Dinusha was unbeaten on 35.

Lancaster gave their hopes of avoiding relegation a boost by beating Kendal by 70 runs at Lune Road. Irfan Khan (78 not out) helped the hosts post 136 all out. Kieran Moffat then took 5-28 and Liam Moffat chipped in with three wickets as Kendal were bowled out for 66.

In the final match of the weekend, Netherfield beat St Annes by four wickets.

Eccleston remain firmly in the hunt for promotion in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division

Michael Atkinson’s men are just four points behind second-placed Great Eccleston after a six-wicket victory over Torrisholme at home.

Will Beeden hit 36 for the visitors but the run rate was stifled as they were eventually bowled out for 115 inside 44 overs.

Thomas Wilkinson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 5-21 while there were two wickets apiece for Cameron Smith and Atkinson. Wilkinson then displayed his all-round abilities by hitting 40 as the hosts eased to victory off 29.2 overs. David Hewson finished unbeaten on 34.

Euxton remain in the promotion hunt in fifth but their hopes were dealt a blow as they were well beaten by leaders and champions-elect Fleetwood at Broadwater.

Harry McAleer (83), Atiq Uz-Zaman (72) and Adam Sharrocks (50) all hit half-centuries as the hosts racked-up 255-8. Louis Sweeney was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-48.

In reply, Euxton fell 110 runs short as they were restricted to 145-9 with Jack Wilkinson taking 4-42. Ulricht Van Duyker performed well with the bat, hitting 55 not out.

Rock-bottom Croston’s season plunged new depths as they were bowled out for just 39 at Preston.

It had looked promising for the visitors when Joseph Barker took 5-31 and Max Harper 3-12 as the men from West Cliff were dismissed for 118. Navazish Ali top scored with22.

However, in reply, Croston were skittled with Imran Patel taking a superb 7-20 as no batsman was able to reach double figures.

It was a day to forget for Penwortham as they were well beaten by promotion contenders Morecambe at Woodhill Lane. Muhammad Ilyas’s 33 was the only bright moment for Pen with the bat as they were dismissed for just 93.Stefan Dixon took 4-44 while Shane Burton and Lloyd Smith both took three wickets.

Home skipper Alex Briggs then hit 41 not out as they cruised to victory by seven wickets.

Kirkham & Wesham were skittled for a paltry 67 against Thornton Cleveleys who had Daniel Howard (5-16) to thank with the ball. Tom Parkinson took four wickets in reply but it was not enough prevent defeat for K&W.

In the final match, second-placed Great Eccleston got the better of Barrow by 32 runs.

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