On Sunday, Blackpool CC Hosted the Under 12s Playoff match followed by the 49th Rose Trophy Final.
After early alarms were set, Tarleton defeated St Annes in the Under 12 Playoff. Batting first, St Annes were restricted to 63-7 by some excellent bowling and fielding by Tarleton.
In reply, Tarleton coasted to victory despite the saints best efforts.
Scorecard - https://palaceshield.play-cricket.com/website/results/4955939
In the later game, a cracking spectacle went to the final ball between St Annes and Fulwood & Broughton.
Winning the toss and batting, St Annes got off to a steady start before an Explosive innings from Ryan Birkman (51ret) supported by Ashton Charles (32no) finished on 137-3 from their 20 overs.
Fulwood & Broughton got off to a flyer with James McWilliam retiring on 52. James retirement coupled with the wicket of Captain Ben Rosebottom (28) halted the momentum of the Fulwood's innings. As the Run Rate increased above a run a ball, wickets started to tumble. 8 Runs were required off the last, however Harry Birkman (4-1-15-2) ensured that didnt happen and St Annes lifted the Rose trophy for the first time.
Scorecard - https://palaceshield.play-cricket.com/website/results/4963357
Read more...Congratulations to Penrith who won the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield at the first time of asking, after COVID delayed their initial attempt.
A quick preview of each division going into the last round of games -
Premier Division
Penrith can't be caught at the top and are champions. Vernon Carus currently have an 8 point advantage over 3rd place Barrow and 9 points over 4th place Kirkham & Wesham but its all to play for with Vernons playing local rivals Penwortham who will be looking to spoil Vernons party. Kirkham play Croston but Barrow have the toughest game away at champions Penrith. South Shore and Fylde have already been relegated to Division 1A.
Division 1A
Nothing to play for in 1A, Torrisholme have already been confirmed as champions and Euxton in 2nd place enjoying promotion to the Premier Division in their 1st season in the Palace Shield. Only 1 relegation spot (the Division is a team short and the winners of the Westmorland League have the option to fill that space). New Longton are confirmed in last place and will be hoping that a 1st team in Division 2 with a good enough ground score (currently only Ingol) dont make the top 6.
Division 1B
Netherfield hold an 8 point advantage over 2nd place Longridge and need 5 points from their trip to Leyland. Longridge will need a win from their trip to Blackpool and hope that Netherfield lose badly. There will be 2 teams relegated and these will be Kendal and St Annes.
Division 2
Thornton Cleveleys are champions and will be in Division 1B next season. Penwortham are currently 2nd and have a 6 point advantage over Preston. Penwortham play Ingol who will be hoping to sneak into the top 6. Eccleston will finish bottom but there's a tight battle between Gregson Lane and Torrisholme for the final relegation spot. Gregson Lane are 5 points behind but play relegated Eccleston whereas Torrisholme play champions Thornton Cleveleys.
Division 3
All to play for at the top. Penwortham are currently top by 7 points but they are relying on their 2nds gaining promotion from Division 2. 2nd place F&B play 3rd place Lancaster but with a 10 point gap Lancaster would have to hammer F&B to leapfrog them into 2nd although 3rd place would be enough if Penwortham end up blocked by their 2nd team. Walton-le-Dale have an outside chance of poaching 3rd but need alot to go their way. Only 1 relegation spot and Chorley have been confirmed last.
Division 4
Euxton have dominated the Division but its all to play for in the race for 2nd spot. Grimsargh currently hold it but only by 4 points from Kirkham & Wesham with Walton-le-Dale and further 4 points behind. WLD will be out of the running if their 1st team can't get out of Division 3. Grimsargh play mid table South Shore but Kirkham have a tough game away at Euxton. No relegation this season in Division 4.
Division 5
All wrapped up at the top of Division 5 with Darwen dominating and Withnell Fold a lonely 2nd place. Croston currently in the sole relegation spot 10 points adrift from St Annes and Fylde but all 3 have tough fixtures. St Annes and Fylde will be hoping for 2 or 3 points from their games to make them safe.
Division 6
Ingol and Penwortham have both done enough for promotion but the battle for 1st is still on with Ingol 6 points ahead but no game this week. Penwortham need to score 7 points or more against 4th placed BAC/EE Preston if they are to become champions.
Sunday Division 1
Thornton Cleveleys are already champions and will be looking to increase their lead against New Longton who will be hoping not to fall into the bottom 2. BAC/EE Preston are confirmed last with Longridge currently 2nd bottom 11 points adrift of New Longton. Relegation depends on the winners of Sunday Division 2 South and West and if they want to come up.
Sunday Division South and West
South winners already confirmed as Tarleton and West Kirkham & Wesham
Review Saturday 4th September 2021
So we reach the penultimate games of the season with several issues going to the wire.
Barrow v Preston
Barrow won the toss and Captain Glen Kermode elected to bat, he and Cameron McDougall made a good start putting on 50 for the first wicket. Greg Reynolds continued scoring a good 50. Preston do like to rotate their bowlers and Ali, Mehmood and Parvaiz each took two wickets apiece to limit Barrow to 213 for 6 in their 45 overs. An early wicket gave hope of win keeping hopes of an early return to the Northern League. However, an excellent stand by Preston’s outstanding players this season Navazish Ali (62) and Imran Mehmood (81 no) took them close to a win Suhel Patel (34) and Subair Patel 17 no saw Preston home by 6 wickets. The 4 wickets were shared denting Barrow’s hopes.
Croston v Penrith
Penrith won the toss and elected to bat on a good looking pitch and outfield. Nicky Burns (27) and Asher Hart with (46) gave them a good start and this was built on by Greg Cameron (39) and Sam Hall with ( 32) the tail did not support the good start and Penrith finished of 235 for 9. Jake Parsons took 4 for 59 whilst Millie Hodge and Joe Barker took two wickets apiece. Form would suggest that this was too high a total for Croston but Joe Barker with an excellent 93 no and a season highest score of 66 for Skipper Ian Dickinson caused some Penrith furrowed brows. It could not be sustained and Croston fell short by 14 runs. Wickets were shared with two apiece for Hart, Cameron and Glendinning.
Eccleston v Vernon Carus
Bob Bridges won the toss for Vernon’s and elected to bat. Fine 50’s by opener Matt Stevenson 50) and number three Jamie Rigby (56) they were supported by Wes Royle (38 no) and Ben Duerden with 21 no took the total to 187 for 3 in the 45 overs. There was not a lot of pace in the pitch but Stewart White took 2 for 30 in 9 overs. There is a bit more pace from Holland and Matt Timms who bowled well to take 7 for 52 from 15 overs. Jaimie Maitland was top scorer with 33 before pulling Timms square to Jamie Rigby who took a good catch. Young Ben Thomas took 2 for 8 of his 2 overs to end the game. Eccleston finishing 82 runs short.
Fylde v Thornton Cleveleys
Cleveleys opted to bat at the toss and it paid dividends when Jon Eade who is averaging over 37 scored another 78 aided by Jake Apperley with 40 and a match-winning 98 by young Josh Sackfield. Cleveleys scored 277 for 6 in their 45 overs. Seven bowlers were tried with limited success. In fairness the Fylde batting put up some gallant resistance with Will Smith (50 no), Michael Watkinson (40) and Dan Smith (66) taking them to 205 for 5. Cleveleys winning by 72 runs. Jez Newman took 2 for 41 in 11 overs. Fylde are relegated but there are some decent young players there. Hopefully, they can regroup and come again.
Great Eccleston v South Shore
Captain Max Cowell – Makin won the toss and South Shore elected to bat. On a quick GE pitch, they had no real answer to the opening attack of Phil Booth with 5 for 22 and Jon Jefferies with 2 for 26. The Shore were hustled out for 76 in only 22.1 overs with no batter making 20. This included 20 extras. Rob Swale (24 no) and Alex Rhodes with (33 no) off 20 balls eased Eccy to an easy win. Neil Ashford took 2 for 35. A difficult season for South Shore we wish them well in Division 1A next season.
Kirkham & Wesham v Penwortham
Anthony Wilson possibly looked at the depleted Penwortham team and elected to field upon winning the toss. Early success by Andy Hogarth put them on track but Martyn Brierly with 53 and Charlie Parker with 34 gave some hope, however, the skipper with 4 for 35 and Anthony Harrison with 5 for 33 skittled the rest of the batting. Penwortham being all out for 123 runs in 38 overs. A decent start by Michael Brooks ( 31) and Stephen Wright (33) gave them the advantage before Kirkham got the 124 for an easy 6 wicket win. The four wickets were shared. Hopefully, Penwortham will field a stronger side for the season finale at home to Vernon Carus.
Sunday 5th September 2021
Croston v Barrow
This was a covid rearranged game. Barrow won the toss and elected to bat on the same track that had been used on Saturday. Glen Kermode made a good start with 38 assisted by Cameron McDougall with 56. Left-hander Jack Singleton added a belligerent 58 to take Barrow to a decent 219 for 7 in their 45 overs. Millie Hodge took 2 for 38 and Jake Parsons 2 for 39. Croston offered little in response with only Joe Barker with 36 showing discipline to his batting. Croston were bowled out for a paltry 92 in less than 30 overs. Daryl Wearing with 4 for 33 from 15 overs, Sam Henderson with 3 for 37 and slow bowler Gary Collins with 3 for 14. A very good win by Barrow which after yesterdays disappointment takes them to Penrith next Saturday still in with a chance of automatic promotion.
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