Morecambe’s young guns complete memorable year for club with Tower Shield triumph

Morecambe young guns starred as the club completed a memorable season with a win over Carnforth in Sunday’s Tower Shield final.
Steven Fisher and Adam Derham were Morecambe's match-winners against Carnforth in the 2015 Tower Shield final against Carnforth.Steven Fisher and Adam Derham were Morecambe's match-winners against Carnforth in the 2015 Tower Shield final against Carnforth.
Steven Fisher and Adam Derham were Morecambe's match-winners against Carnforth in the 2015 Tower Shield final against Carnforth.

Steven Fisher, just 15, hit a magnificent 104 as Morecambe posted 253-2 against a Carnforth side who had won Division Two of the Westmorland Cricket League 24 hours earlier.

Adam Derham, 18, helped post the mammoth total with 84 from 66 balls as the Woodhill Lane youngsters overpowered the hosts at Lodge Quarry.

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In reply Carnforth mustered 111 with Darren Nelson showing resistance with an excellent 58 that was ultimately in vain as Lewis Smith took five wickets.

Sixteen-year-old Smith and Fisher started cautiously against the experienced opening pair of Nelson and Mark Bradley with the score on 68 when Smith was caught for 34 in the 17th over.

Derham, fresh from a half century for the seconds on Saturday, joined Fisher to take the Carnforth attack apart adding 154 for the second wicket in just 20 overs.

Fisher was in majestic form as he hit a first century for the club while Derham was quick to punish anything loose.

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The pursuit for quick runs and tiredness finally accounted for Fisher before Joe Singleton (10 not out) helped Derham add 29 runs in the final two overs.

Jamie Cassidy struck early for Morecambe with the ball with two quick wickets before Nelson and Gary Baxendale (21) dug in.

Baxendale became the first of Smith’s victims thanks to a smart Uzair Shah catch with Derham getting in on the act as Carnforth slipped from 36-2 to 50-6.

A brief rally from Nelson moved the total to 72 before the home side’s fate was sealed by three wickets for six runs.

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Smith finished with an impressive 5-35 adding to his earlier runs whilst Derham returned 2-29.

The end was delayed by Bradley who was finishing a distinguished career for Carnforth as he smashed a quick-fire 18 not out.

It was left to Patel to wrap up the game by having Nelson stumped after a fine half century.

*Morecambe’s second team finished seventh in the second division on the Northern Premier League after a losing draw at Blackpool on Saturday.

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Blackpool batted first scoring 178 with retiring league legend Adrian Darlington signing off with 74.

Skipper Irfan Qayyum was the most successful of the visitors’ bowlers with 3-44.

Morecambe’s reply got off to a poor start losing two wickets for one run. The impressive Joe Singleton hit 43 and Adam Derham 62 not out as Morecambe fell 15 runs short in reply.