Nathan Walmsley blows away Torrisholme to seal Penwortham’s top-six position in Palace Shield
Cock-a-hoop Penwortham nicked the last remaining promotion spot in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division on Saturday.
In a dramatic final weekend of the campaign, Pen leapfrogged above both Penrith and Lancaster to claim sixth place in the final league table
The top six will join Euxton, St Annes, Mawdesley and Carlise in next year’s newly-formed Northern Premier Cricket League Division Two.
Five clubs – champions Barrow, Thornton Cleveleys, Vernon Carus, Carnforth and Great Eccleston – had already guaranteed their promotion
However, the last remaining spot was still up for grabs but it was Pen who claimed it after a 10-wicket demolition of bottom side Torrisholme, while Penrith and Lancaster were beaten by Rufford and Vernons respectively.
Robbie Sumner’s men thrashed Torrisholme at Boundary Meadow after routing the hosts for just 30 off 15.1 overs.
Nathan Walmsley was the chief destroyer, taking six wickets for just nine runs. He was ably assisted by Ryan Roberts who took 4-17. In reply, the visitors took 2.2 overs to seal victory.
Vernons did their neighbours a huge favour by beating Lancaster at Lune Road.
Matthew Timms (3-15), Muhammad Patel (2-23) and Kashif Jamal (2-18) all impressed as the host were bowled out for 78 inside 27 overs.
Ben Simm then took 5-46 to put the visitors under pressure, but knocks of 20 from Hare Shetty and skipper Wes Royle ultimately guided Vernons home with four wickets to spare.
Eccleston’s miserable season finally came to an end at the hands of Carnforth who enjoyed a whopping 115-run win at Doctors Lane.
Jadeja Edwards took 6-42 but could not prevent the visitors posting 200-7. Dylan Conroy hit 61, while James Parkinson (39) and captain Shane Dixon (38) also batted well.
Conroy (3-15) and Tom Parkinson (3-3) then ripped through the home side’s batting card, dismissing them for 85. Alex Brooks top scored with 24.
It was an inauspicious end to the summer for Preston as they were swept aside by Great Eccleston at Hall Lane.
Sajid Patel’s men finished the campaign in 10th spot after a seven-wicket defeat.
Preston never got out of second gear with the bat as they were bowled out for just 64. Mohamed Nadeem, pictured, took 6-24 and Jim Procter chipped in with 3-33.
Nadeem’s unbeaten 18 was the top score in the entire match as he guided Great Ecc home.
Barrow reinforced their mantle as champions – but only just – in a thrilling victory over runners-up Thornton Cleveleys at the Ernest Pass Memorial Ground.
Daryl Wearing took 4-15 and Sam Henderson returned figures of 3-23 as the visitors were bowled out for 98. Cameron Chisholm was the one shinning light with the bat, hitting 39.
In reply, Barrow lost nine wickets but an unbeaten 47 from skipper Jack Singleton saw the champions home.
Penrith were beaten by 28 runs by Rufford at Tynefield Park. Sam Wright hit 75 as the visitors were all out for 215. Daniel Golding then took 5-63 as Penrith were all out for 187.