Morecambe CC slip to Lancaster loss despite bowlers’ best efforts

Morecambe CC's Luke Pearson Picture: Tony North

Seven days after winning the reverse fixture, a disappointing display with the bat was to prove costly despite their bowlers’ best efforts.

Having chosen to bat first at Lune Road, Morecambe found themselves all out for 110 with four overs remaining.

Their openers provided a solid enough platform before Jamie Heywood was run out for 19 and Luke Pearson fell for an innings-high 32.

However, the remainder of the top order fell away with Charlie Swarbrick (4), Ryan Pearson (11) and Gareth Pedder (1) all dismissed by Abdul Rehman Shah.

For his part, Luke Pearson fell victim to Ben Simm who ran through the remainder of the Morecambe innings.

He got the better of Alex Briggs (10), Kieran Moffat (4), Andrew Creech (10), Graeme Cassidy (0) and Tommy Clough (1) to end the Morecambe innings.

That gave him bowling figures of 6-19 from eight overs, while Shah claimed 3-26.

In reply, Morecambe’s bowlers did their best to regain the initiative.

Clough got rid of Lewis McGinley (14) and Craig Heywood (7), Gareth Pedder accounted for Steven Fisher (6) and Danny Welbourne (0), while Kieran Moffat sent back Laurie Atkinson (13).

Though Lancaster benefited from 22 extras during their reply, the key innings came from Surath Bastola.

He made 29 from only 32 balls to take Lancaster nearer their target before being dismissed by Swarbrick.

There was still time for Shah (8) to be out, LBW to Liam Moffat, but Simm and Lee Marshall were both six not out as Lancaster took victory on 111-7 with three balls remaining.

Clough led the Morecambe bowling with 2-7, while Pedder chipped in with 2-26.

Swarbrick claimed 1-12, Liam Moffat 1-19 and Kieran Moffat 1-23.

It means Morecambe and Netherfield can’t be caught at the top of Group D in the round-robin stages of the competition replacing the Northern League and Palace Shield for this year.

Morecambe are top with 12 points from four games, ahead of Netherfield on runs/wickets differential.

Kendal are third on four points, ahead of bottom-placed Lancaster on the same method.

The final opening stage matches take place this Saturday with the top two meeting at Netherfield, while Lancaster take the trip to Kendal.