Morecambe make it a hat-trick of wins to start new season

Mark Woodhead showed his class with 85 to set the platform for Eddy Read and Suraj Randiv to complete fine holiday weekends for themselves and help Morecambe to a 97-run win over St Annes at Woodhill Lane.

After Josh Dixon lost his third toss of the season the skipper was partnered by Woodhead at the top of the order with Phil Dennison carrying a slight injury.

The pair took Morecambe past the 50 mark with no alarms and looked well set, going through the gears and finding the boundary with regularity, Dixon hitting two towering sixes before falling for 37.

The hosts continued to press forward and despite the loss of Ryan Pearson (7) professional Randiv (20) ensured he was there to see Woodhead reach his 50.

The veteran then looked to be ultra aggressive taking the game to St Annes and reached 85 before he was run out to end a brilliant innings.

Randiv went looking again to accelerate as did Lewis Edge as the overs ran out with Gareth Pedder (19 not out) and Read (11 not out) ensuring Morecambe reached an extremely competitive 192-5.

In reply former Settle seamer Read flew out of the blocks removing St Annes professional Hendro Puchart (4) followed by skipper Andy Kellet (5).

Adam Holt (14) ultimately hung around but with damage being done at the other end Morecambe again were well on top with the ball.

Nathan Armstrong was next to go followed by the dangerous Luckman Vahaluwala (16) who fell thanks to a sharp catch by Jamie Cassidy.

Soon after Randiv (4-45) was to dismiss Matthew Taffe deceived in the flight and other than some resistance from Nathan Bolus (19) St Annes were staring defeat square in the face.

Tommy Clough’s tight spell was rewarded with two wickets however it was the brilliant Read (4-24) who was to have he last laugh as he rearranged Michael Harlings stumps to ensure Morecambe took the 15 points.

Josh Dixon next takes his side to Chorley on Saturday.