Weekend cricket round-ups

Lee Childs’ men secured their place in the showpiece match after a hard-fought win over Penwortham at Old Emanuel School.

The visitors’ skipper Ashley Billington won the toss and elected to bat first. After moving to 65-1, Pen were rocked by three quick wickets as they slipped to 68-4.

However, a fine half-century from Billington enabled them to post what looked to be a decent score of 177 all out.

However, Croston had no such problems chasing down the total with Stephen Langton starring with the bat.

He hit 11 boundaries and three sixes as the home side reached their victory target with two overs and eight wickets to spare.

In the other semi-final, Kendal appear to be the bogey side for current Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division leaders Longridge.

Nick Wilkinson’s men have only lost twice all season – both times to the Cumbrians.

Chris Miller’s men beat Longridge in the league earlier in the season and repeated the act at Chipping Road on Sunday. The home side were shot out for just 107 with Tom Howarth top scoring with 29. Ben Phillips was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3-19.

Edward Price (34 not out) guided the visitors to victory with seven wickets to spare.

In the league on Saturday, Vernon Carus are making a late charge for promotion.

Christian Ash’s men picked up their sixth successive win on Saturday when they defeated South Shore by 90 runs at Mad Nook.

Decent knocks all the way down the order – most notably from Mark Hardiker (39) and Ash (44) – helped Vernons posted 219-8.

The home side were bowled out for 129, with Jack Duerden taking 6-31. Nathan Bolus struck 56.

It was a day to forget for Eccleston as they were all out for 88 with Jake Apperley (5-20) the chief destroyer. Jon Eade scored an unbeaten 34 as Cleveleys cruised to victory inside 22 overs with seven wickets to spare.

New Longton were beaten by Kendal at Chapel Lane despite Lee Bolton’s 61. The home side’s total of 158 was surpassed with four wickets to spare. Elsewhere, Penwortham were well beaten by 89 runs at Great Eccleston, while Longridge crushed rock-bottom Torrisholme by nine wickets.

In the final match, Lancaster got the better of Croston by 20 runs.

Fulwood and Broughton slipped back into the Northern League Division One relegation places on Saturday.

Mark Smith’s men were well beaten by title-chasing Blackpool at Stanley Park after failing to make the most of winning the toss.

With blues skies above and the sun shining, Smith was hoping his team would make hay with the bat after electing to have first use of the wicket.

Unfortunately, they found the going tough out in the middle as they were bowled out for 103 off 47.2 overs. Matthew Siddall took 4-26 and Charlie Rossiter top scored with 25. In reply, Blackpool cruised to victory off just 20 overs with Joshua Boyne striking a brilliant 64.

Garstang moved back into fifth spot in the table after a terrific win over Morecambe at the Riverside.

Ian Walling top scored with 46, but there were some decent contributions all the way down the order as the home side posted 197-9.

The visitors were 114 all out in reply as overseas ace Coen Oosthuysen impressed with the ball, taking 4-41. Luke Jongwe scored 45.

Leyland slipped to defeat at home to Penrith despite posting a total in excess of 200.

Tom Reece (56) and Umar Waheed (91) enabled the home side to post 211-7.

However, a brilliant century from the visitors’ Ashwin Hebbar saw Penrith home with seven wickets and balls to spare.

Gayan Maneeshan’s super 97 off 101 balls was to be in vain for Chorley as they failed to chase down Barrow’s 191 all out. They were bowled out for 167 with Patrick Alington taking 4-56.

Stuart Naden had earlier taken 5-87 during Barrow’s innings which had been held together by Daryl Wearing’s 81.

Knocks of 38 and 43 from Rizwan Patel and Haroon Patel, respectively, helped Preston post 176-8, but it was still not enough to get their first win of the season as they lost at Fleetwood by eight wickets.

Elsewhere, a century from John Huck ensured Netherfield remain top after their encounter at St Annes.