Vernons remain on course for title

Christian Ash’s men made it 11 wins out of 12 in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division after routing Whittingham and Goosnargh in a rain-affected encounter at Guild Park.

In a match reduced to 37 overs per side, Vernons ensured the weather would play no further part in the proceedings as they skittled the home side for just 72 inside 28 overs.

Ben Llewellin was the executioner-in-chief as he returned superb figures of 6-23. He was supported admirably by Paul Hayton, who chipped-in with 4-26.

In reply, Harun Patel took two early wickets but Vernons eased to victory thanks in the main to Wes Royle’s unbeaten 28.

The win extends their lead at the top of the table to 15 points over second-placed Fulwood and Broughton, who edged to a three-wicket win at reigning champions Great Eccleston.

After deciding to bat first, Great Ecc posted 137-5 off a rain reduced 35 overs, with A Swale impressing with an excellent 60.

F&B lost seven wickets in response but they were indebted to Mark Smith’s magnificent unbeaten 89, which guided them to victory.

Garstang remain just a point behind F&B in third place after a fine win over Thornton Cleveleys at the Riverside.

The visitors batted first and could only muster 119-9 off a rain-reduced 38 overs. Jon Eade top scored with 47 while Michael and Ian Walling took four and three wickets respectively.

Garstang cruised to victory in reply as Allan Cook finished unbeaten on 46, while Michael Walling followed up his fine bowling performance with a knock of 32.

Freckleton were comfortable home winners over Torrisholme after they restricted the strugglers to 123-8 off 40 overs.

Chris Parry top scored for the visitors with 27 and James Ferguson struck 22 but an excellent spell of 4-21 from Joshua Holden put the brakes on their innings.

In reply, Ashley Moreau’s 32-ball 36 set Freckleton up for a successful run chase, although at times it proved to be a nervy affair for them as they lost seven wickets.

However, Edward Fiddler provided a calming influence with an unbeaten 25.

Croston were denied the opportunity of claiming a win over Penwortham at Old Emanuel School.

The home side were in excellent form with the bat as they posted a sizeable 201-5 off 39 overs.

Their total owed much to a fine half-century from Matthew Morris.

He was ably assisted by Lee Childs who hit 44, 
while Stephen Langton (32) and Sam Marsh (35) 
also made valuable contributions.

Unfortunately, the weather intervened soon after with Penwortham not facing a single delivery.

In the final match of the weekend, Longridge thumped bottom side Fylde at the Newsham Memorial Ground.

In a match reduced to 33 overs, Longridge closed on an imposing 210-7 and Fylde could only muster 93-8 in reply.