Weekend cricket round-up

It was a close-run clash, the hosts Preston hitting the winning runs with their last pair at the crease.

Morecambe chose to bat first after winning the toss and posted 122-9.

Devon Conway was their top scorer with 36 before the sub-pro fell to the bowling of Lukman Vahaluwala.

Left-arm spinner Sabbir Patel returned good figures of 5-20.

Preston replied with 123-9, Vahaluwala scoring 34 and opener Irshad Desai 24.

Rizwan Ali added 18 lower down the order.

Edward Read impressed with the ball for Morecambe, taking 5-40.

Last season’s champions Leyland returned from their trip to Kendal with a 29-run victory.

Tom Reece struck 41, while four fours and a six came from the bat of Andrew Makinson in his knock of 36.

Leyland closed on 150-8 from their 50 overs and efficiently went about the job of going through the Kendal batting order.

The Cumbrians were bowled out for 121, with four wickets apiece for Henry Thompson and David Makinson.

Chorley’s trip up the M6 to Penrith was a worthwhile one, with them winning by five wickets.

They removed the home side for 97 in 41.2 overs, Ian Oakes doing much of the damage.

Oakes took 7-24, James Lee and Gayan Maneeshan taking one each, while there was a run-out too.

Chorley chased down their target for the loss of five wickets, Kyle Dixon hitting 29 and Maneeshan 23.

Lancaster were beaten by Netherfield, while Fleetwood beat St Annes. Blackpool won against Barrow.

Meanwhile, Fulwood and Broughton came out on top in their visit to Croston, which proved to be a high-scoring affair in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield.

The Westhead Road clash produced 426 runs, with F&B winning by one wicket.

It was a first win for them after they had started the defence of their title with a defeat.

Croston elected to bat first after winning the toss and put a healthy 212-7 on the board.

Sam Marsh struck eight fours and two sixes during a knock of 72, Ian Dickinson adding 60 – nine boundaries coming off his bat.

In reply, F&B were 214-9, the visitors claiming victory with two balls to spare.

Opener Rob Dingle was their top scorer with 65, while Jon Fenton added 34.

They benefitted from 34 extras, including 19 wides.

Five teams have taken maximum points from their first two games.

Garstang were six-wicket victors at Torrisholme.

They bowled out their hosts for 130, four bowlers featuring among the wickets.

An unbeaten 53 from Michael Wellings was at the heart of Garstang’s reply, Tom Wells scoring 23.

Garstang chased down their target in the 32nd over, posting 134-4.

Penwortham won by 136 runs against Freckleton at Bush Lane.

A fine display with the bat from Phil Chapple saw him score 91, a knock featuring 13 fours.

Glynn Parkinson added 41 as Penwortham closed on 209-7.

In reply, Freckleton were dismissed for 73 in 21.4 overs, Jon Roebuck taking 6-17.

Longridge won by eight wickets in their visit to Great Eccleston.

After choosing to bat first on their Hall Lane track, Great Ecc were 129 all out.

Adam Green at the top of the order struck 43, but there were little support below.

Ian Simpson took 3-21 for Longridge, Matt Greenall and Rory McDowell claiming two wickets apiece.

Longridge were 130-2 in replay, Luke Platt unbeaten on 53 and Joshua McDowell hitting an unbeaten 46.

Vernon Carus brought a win back from their clash with Thornton Cleveleys at Illawalla.

They had first use of the track, and were 178 all out in the final over.

David Fisher top-scored with 57.

Strong bowling from Joe Allen and Paul Hayton saw Vernons to victory, Thornton all out for 130 – Hayton took 5-25 and Allen 4-34.

Eccleston won the battle of the top-flight newcomers, beating Rufford by 68 runs at Cousins Lane.

Batting first, Eccleston were 219-9, Michael 
Atkinson hitting 73.

In reply, Rufford were 151 all out, skipper Rob Kenny top-scoring with 49.

Thomas Wilkinson took 4-29 and Stuart White 3-39 as Eccleston triumphed.