Cricket: Mixed weekend for Morecambe in Northern Premier League

There were mixed fortunes for Morecambe Cricket Club in a double header of Northern Premier League fixtures over the weekend.

The club recorded a comfortable 10 wicket win over Penwortham at Woodhill Lane on Saturday, before a six wicket defeat at Fulwood & Broughton on Sunday.

On Saturday, Penwortham made the visit hoping that fortunes wouldn’t repeat itself after being bowled out for 50 in the 40 Over Cup the week before. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first. Lloyd Smith struck in the first over of the game dismissing Jonathon Hothersall as he edged behind to Andrew Creech. 

Matt Halliday was the next man in and struck three boundaries off the bowling of Michael Bland to get the score ticking over. A partnership of 34 between Halliday and Robbie Sumner was ended when Sumner tried to turn one into the leg side, the ball striking the pad to leave the opener out LBW for 9. 

Smith and Morecambe would have the visitors three down, when Connor Brown was caught by Creech. Siddarth Ahhuja bowled excellently in the 40 Over Cup game and carried on where he left off, bowling Halliday (32) to leave Penwortham in trouble at 50-4.

The runs dried up, Regan Jackson and Ahhuja bowling well in tandem to create pressure which led to an almighty collapse from 64-4 to 70-9. The Indian overseas spinner ripping through the middle order to go past 40 wickets for the season.

Jackson was economical with figures of 1-12 off eight overs and got the wicket of Ian Walmsley Jnr, Ahhuja taking a good catch at slip.

Captain Nathan Walmsley was the only other Penwortham batter to join Halliday in double figures making 11. Ahhuja wrapped up the innings with the skipper's wicket to end 6-20 from 11.2 overs, as Penwortham were bowled out for 80.

Lewis Smith and Luke Pearson made light work in chasing down just 81. The former with 42 not out powering eight boundaries and Pearson 31 not out with four boundaries and one maximum. Morecambe earned victory inside 12 overs, winning by 10 wickets for their third league win in a row.

Sunday posed a tougher test travelling to Fulwood and Broughton. The home side were made to bowl first and made a terrific start thanks to Jon Fenton. The seamer dismissing Lewis Smith on his 200th 1XI appearance for Morecambe and Creech. 

From 2-2, Morecambe recovered well and in good time, Pearson and Ahhuja timing the ball to the rope to force an early change in the bowling. Simon Kerrigan came into the attack and after two watchful overs, Ahhuja having already brought up his half century in 35 balls, launched the ball down the ground for a six. However, last ball of the over, Kerrigan found the top edge of Pearson trying to sweep to give James McWilliam an easy catch. 

A 15-run partnership only lasted 11 balls between the Indian batter and Alex Briggs. Ahhuja caught behind for 62 off 43 balls to give the former Lancashire spinner his second of the day. 

The wickets didn’t faze the Morecambe batters, Briggs especially playing in his usual aggressive manner smashing three sixes off Kerrigan. Captain, Ben Parkinson’s tactics paid off when Kerrigan came on at the other end, trapping Briggs LBW for 35 off 20 balls. 

Morecambe went past 150 before drinks but were five wickets down and had to be cautious of not getting bowled out. Kerrigan proved too good, getting one to turn past the bat to bowl Joe Davies (7) playing his final game for Morecambe.

Joe Bradshaw made a well worked 30 but it was Kerrigan again, with his third five wicket haul of the season. Morecambe losing their last four wickets for just six runs. Only 31 overs had been bowled but Morecambe all out for 186. Fenton (4-45) and Kerrigan (6-50) providing the goods for Fulwood. 

Fulwood took more of a watchful approach to chase down 187. Ahhuja struck twice in the first 12 overs as Ewen Mansford and Matt Smith headed back to the pavilion.

But a composed and well-structured partnership between Ben Rosbottom and Charlie Rossiter put on 90 to put Fulwood as firm favourites at 124-3. Rosbottom out on 64 stumped by Creech off the bowling of George Battersby. Clayton Stone hit four boundaries and a six to make 32 not out. Lloyd Smith celebrating his 150th 1XI appearance for Morecambe bowled Rossiter five short of his 50 but it was too little too late, Kerrigan in fine fashion winning the match with a maximum to seal a six wicket win for Fulwood. 

Next up it’s back at Woodhill Lane versus seventh place Whalley, on Saturday 27 June, 12:30 start.