Weekend cricket round-up

The reigning champions posted a sizeable 233-9 after being asked to have first use of the wicket.

In reply, the visitors were bowled out for a paltry 84 – a score which could have been a lot more embarrassing if it had not been for a battling last-wicket partnership between Jake Marshall and Bruce Glendinning.

Earlier, it appeared Jonathon Osbourne’s decision to put in the home side after winning the toss was a good one as his men struck early.

New Sri Lankan professional Pabasara Waduge was bowled by Greg Hall for one while Henry Thompson was run out for five.

However, that was about as good as it got for Penrith as Leyland began to build a big total.

Andrew Makinson was the mainstay of the innings as he cracked nine fours and four sixes in his knock of 77 and he was given good support by Tom Reece (44).

Penrith’s reply was nothing short of a disaster as Karl Cross and Ross Bretherton ripped through their card. The top nine batsmen scored a combined total of just 18 runs.

The visitors were saved from total humiliation by Marshall (24) and Glendinning (22).

Chorley enjoyed an excellent win over Fleetwood on the opening day at Windsor Park.

Andrew Holdsworth’s men were rewarded for an excellent display with the ball after the skipper elected to bowl first.

Chris Harty took 4-27 and there were two wickets apiece for Edwin Moulton and new Sri Lankan pro Gayan Maneeshan as Fleetwood stumbled to 133 all out. James Wilson top scored with 40.

In reply, Chorley lost wickets at regular intervals but it was Holdsworth who steadied the ship as he finished unbeaten on 57 to guide his men to a six-wicket victory.

Preston were agonisingly beaten by one wicket at West Cliff by Kendal. The home side paid the price for not putting enough runs on the board 
despite a brilliant effort with the ball.

Four of Preston’s top five batters all got into double figures but failed to go on and make a big score as Preston were all out for 90 inside 37 overs. Chris Miller took 5-27 and Saeed Bariwala 4-23.

Lukman Vahaluwala bowled Preston back into contention with an inspired spell of 5-39. He was ably assisted by Sabbir Patel, who took 3-19, but the visitors squeezed over the line.

Elsewhere, St Annes 
enjoyed an emphatic nine-wicket win over Lancaster 
after bowling the visitors out for 151 at Vernon Road.

Blackpool won at 
Netherfield by two wickets, while Barrow enjoyed a 
winning draw at Morecambe.

Garstang could be the team to beat in this season’s Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division after recording a crushing victory over Freckleton at the Riverside.

The visitors were routed for an embarrassing 35 inside 20 overs and the home side needed just 39 deliveries to rattle off the runs required for victory.

Only the top three batsmen for Freck managed to trouble the scorers as the rest were all sent back to the pavilion for ducks.

Waris Khan Ahmadzai took a staggering 5-5 off just three overs while Gareth Jennings returned figures of four wickets for just three runs.

Reigning champions Fulwood and Broughton were surprisingly beaten after posting an imposing of 222-6 at Hall Lane.

Mark Smith (55) and Charlie Rossiter (70) each hit half-centuries for F&B, while Mohammed Fazil took four wickets.

Great Eccleston timed their run chase perfectly as they edged to victory with three bals and five wickets to spare. Muhammad Imran-Sadiq scored 49 and Fazil finished unbeaten on 61.

Last season’s runners-up Vernon Carus were too strong for Croston at Factory Lane.

Skipper Christian Ash top scored with 39 as the home side totalled 141-9 from their allotted 45 overs. Jonathan Driver and Lee Childs both took three wickets apiece.

In reply, Croston were never up with the required run rate as they were bowled out for just 76. Adam Parker –

Vernons’ new star player from Fleetwood –announced his arrival by taking a

fantastic 6-15 from 11 overs.

Longridge got the new season off to a winning start thanks to a comprehensive 110-run win over newly-promoted Rufford at the Newsham Memorial Ground.

Joshua Mullin (50) and Tom Howarth (73 not out) got the home side out of a spot of bother with a strong middle order partnership. Richard Lyon took three wickets as Longridge closed on 181-9.

In reply, Matt Greenall took 5-13 as the visitors were bowled out for just 71.

It is six years since Penwortham were crowned Palace Shield champions, but the men from Middleforth Green look like they could mount a challenge this summer. They enjoyed a three-wicket win over Thornton Cleveleys after Thomas Wilson took 5-45 to bowl the visitors out for 128. Oliver Vincent took 4-42 in reply but Antony Dark (23 not out) guided the home side home.

In the final match, newlypromoted Eccleston enjoyed a fine 40-run win at home to Torrisholme.

Tom Potter’s excellent knock of 77 helped the home side post 187-7. Graham Lee took three wickets.

The visitors were all out for 147 in reply, despite the best efforts of Daniel Woods (55). Michael Atkinson took 4-4.