Moore and Smalley Palace Shield weekend round-up

Vernon Carus batsman Wes Royle in action against Lancaster

Preston maintained a winning start in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division with victory at New Longton.

They won their visit to Chapel Lane by 81 runs and boast a 100% record after four matches.

Electing to have first use of the track, Preston were 203-9 in their 45 overs.

Nawazish Ali hit 10 boundaries on his way to 57, the opener facing 36 deliveries.

A Lancaster fielder attempts to stop a shot crossing the boundary ropes

There was a knock of 35 from skipper Muhammad Nauman.

For the hosts, Munaf Bavla took 3-55, with two wickets apiece for Ethan Fairhurst and Chris Hadfield.

New Longton were 122 all out in reply, Paul Haydock their highest scorer with a knock of 47.

Rizwan Hussain was the pick of the Preston bowler with figures of 5-21.

Vernon Carus skipper Bob Bridges watches a delivery go through to the wicketkeeper

A half-century from Wes Royle was not enough to stop Vernon Carus slipping to an eight-wicket loss to Lancaster at Factory Lane.

Royle hit eight fours and a six on his way to a knock of 51 in Vernons’ first innings tally of 164-9.

Bob Bridges supported him well, hitting 44, but the hosts lost wickets cheaply as they went down the order.

In reply, Lancaster chased their target in 40 overs, helped by a superb 93 from Charlie Swarbrick.

Batting at three, Swarbrick hit five sixes and 10 fours, with the visitors posting 165-2.

Penwortham won their clash with Fylde by seven wickets.

Asked to bat first, Fylde were 150 all out with Maji Rjdeep taking 5-41.

Robbie Sumner’s unbeaten 64 helped Penwortham chase down their target, with Antony Dark adding 39 to the scoreboard.

Croston were 27-run winners over Morecambe.

Batting first, the home side put 139-9 on the board, Jack Marsh coming in at No.8 to hit 56 – his knock included three sixes and two fours.

They then bowled out their visitors for 112 in 43.3 overs, Sam Marsh taking 5-38 while there were two wickets each for Keith Marsh and Jonathan Driver.

An unbeaten century from Nathan Bolus helped South Shore to a four-wicket win over Great Eccleston.

Bolus hit 100 not out in the Mad Nook clash as his side replied to Great Ecc’s 179-9.

He had starred with the ball too, taking 7-39.

Eccleston won their visit to Standish by 107 runs.

After putting 154-9 on the board, Eccleston bowled their hosts out for 46.