Cricket: Morecambe progress to cup quarter final after Carlisle victory

Morecambe CC progressed into the quarter finals of the Northern Premier Cricket League 40 Over Cup.

Lloyd Smith’s five wicket haul followed by a blistering 78 run partnership between Alex Briggs and Siddarth Ahhuja powered Morecambe to a two wicket win over Division One opposition, Carlisle, in their final group fixture.

Carlisle won the toss and elected to bat first on a scorching hot afternoon at Woodhill Lane. Zephania Arinaitwe struck the first boundary in the opening over, but it would be just the one for the destructive opening batter, as Lloyd Smith got the first wicket with Luke Pearson taking the catch. 

Calum Rowe got the score ticking over nicely with six fours in as many overs to take the visitors to 47-1 at the end of the powerplay.

Regan Jackson replaced Smith and was on target straight away with a full delivery bowling Watt for 13.

Michael Slack and Rowe took a watchful eye to the bowling of Ahhuja and Jackson but then the boundaries were flowing for the Cumbria batters. Rowe went to his 50 off 43 balls then Slack hit three fours off the bowling of Michael Bland with some innovative shot making. 

Carlisle 126-2 at the halfway stage and looked good to set a score over 250. Stefan Dixon had other plans and trapped Slack (33) LBW two balls later. Wicketkeeper, Matthew Brown made a run a ball 20 but the reintroduction of Lloyd Smith into the attack was his undoing. 

Morecambe fought back well, Smith and Bland combined for three wickets in four overs to see Carlisle fall to 173-7. Rowe was still at the crease on 76, he was joined by Ben Purdham, but the cameo of 14 was short lived as Ahhuja bowled him through the gate. 

Rowe struck a glorious six down the ground off Jackson to take him to 93 followed by a single to go six away from his century. 

The landmark was reached in fine fashion as Rowe got on one knee to slog sweep the ball over the ropes off Ahhuja. A brilliant innings by the number three, including 10 fours and four sixes. 

220-8 with three overs to go but that’s all the Carlisle batters could manage, Rowe (101) caught by Joseph Bradshaw to conclude an excellent 96 ball knock. Then Smith (5-31) concluded the innings as Kieran Titterington was LBW without scoring. 

A competitive target set of 221 to win on a good batting track.

Stefan Dixon

It was a disastrous start for both Morecambe openers. Firstly, Luke Pearson (1) was run out by Titterington. Then it was more confusion in the middle this time between Lewis Smith and Andrew Creech, with the former stranded in the middle as the stumps were hit by Titterington again. 

Ahhuja and Creech rebuilt the innings and put on 40 for the third wicket but the last ball of the 10th over was the last for Creech edging behind to Brown for Slack’s first wicket of the day.

Ahhuja and Alex Briggs took a liking to Purdham and Brodie Glendinning whacking 46 off the next four overs, both taking the aggressive route to take Morecambe to 95-3 off 14 overs. The Indian overseas player going to his seventh half century in the process. 

Watt back into the attack went for 11 runs but in his second over got his revenge dismissing Ahhuja for 64. Briggs was still on the hunt to chase down 221 and smashed Watt for a big six into the leg side. Yet again, the leg spinner would have the last laugh as Briggs was bowled for 42. 

Joel Creech joined in on the boundary hitting with a four and a six behind square leg but just like Morecambe, the Cumbrian bowlers fought back, two quick wickets either side of the second drinks break had the game in the balance at 159-7.

Bland and Dixon punished the bad ball and got the score creeping towards the target. Then 20 came in the space of two overs but with Slack and Watt having no overs left, Carlisle were forced to go to part-time spinner, Arinaitwe. 

It worked as Bland was out LBW for 22, the hosts still requiring 28 to win. Lloyd Smith hit three fours and Dixon hit the winning runs down to fine leg for four. A brilliant ninth wicket stand of 28 got Morecambe over the line. 

The two-wicket victory also sealed a home quarter final in the 40 Over Cup. The game to be played against Euxton next month at Woodhill Lane.

Morecambe now turn their attention back to the league on Saturday with a trip to play Penwortham at Middleforth Green, 12:30 start. 

Morecambe CC 1st team v Carlisle CC 1st team on Saturday.