Cricket: Morecambe secure back to back weekend wins

Morecambe CC had a back to back winning weekend in the Northern Premier League.

Firstly, on Saturday against Preston the side won by 14 runs, before a much more convincing victory against rivals Carnforth on Sunday.

Saturday’s clash with Preston saw Morecambe captain, Luke Pearson win the toss and elected to bat first, but it was Preston who made the better start dismissing the Morecambe skipper as ShaidHussain Haji found the outside edge.  

Lewis Smith (pictured above) and Bradshaw didn't let the wicket faze them, as the pair struck at least one boundary off the next eight overs to take the score near 50.  

The introduction of Talha Patel saw Morecambe wobble from 47-1 to 54-4. Three quick wickets in two overs by the Preston spinner including Indian overseas, Ahhuja for 3.  

Alex Briggs and Andrew Creech steadied the ship putting on 52 for the fifth wicket. But despite a run a ball 38 for Briggs and 20 for Creech the pair were outdone by left arm duo, Ismail Patel and Talha Patel.  

Joseph Bradshaw

Ismail Patel would join his teammate with four wickets of his own as Morecambe lost wickets in clumps to put them on the back foot at 145-9.  

Lloyd Smith (23*) and Regan Jackson (16) scored 40 runs for the last wicket in a 10 over period to give Morecambe a competitive total setting Preston 186 for victory.  

Sajid Patel and Navazish Ali began proceedings for the away side, a brilliant pick up and direct hit by Lewis Smith saw Ali ran out for 9.  

Bringing spin into the attack worked like it did for Preston as Ahhuja in his second over bowled Imran Mehmood for 13.  

Lloyd Smith struck twice in quick succession to bring up fifty wickets for the season, Preston in trouble at 58-4 despite Faizan Patel's cameo of 14. 

A much-needed partnership was provided, by the middle order batters of Suhel Patel JR and Hussain but Regan Jackson, Ahhuja and a run out by Ashton Ward sparked Morecambe into life as Preston lost four wickets for 14 runs. 

Talha Pateland Basim Ali stuck at the crease frustrating the Morecambe bowlers for a 30-run partnership, which was eventually ended by Jackson trapping Ali LBW.  

The game looked sealed for the hosts with 54 runs still to get and only one wicket left. Ismail Patel and Talha Patel needed a Morecambe like 11^th wicket partnership.  

But the Preston pair rotated strike well and Ismail Patel powered Usman Haider's first ball for six to give the away side a fighting chance. As the score required was getting smaller the nerves began to creep in.  

But Lloyd Smith sent Morecambe into jubilation as Ismail Patel tried to flick the ball into the leg side but instead ballooned up into the air into the safe hands of Briggs.  

A valiant attempt by the Preston lower order but Morecambe got the job done to seal all 12 points.  

Siddarth Ahhuja

On Sunday against Carnforth, Morecambe won the toss and elected to bat first. Creech opened with Lewis Smith but a fine catch by South African, Jaco Beneke at first slip saw the end of a short stay at the crease.  

Smith (18) hit four fours before being caught in the outfield by Freddie Whatmuff off the bowling of James Parkinson trying to replicate the shot he flicked into the leg side. 

27-2 and a good start for Carnforth but what came from Ahhuja and Bradshaw was the last time the away side were on top.  

Bradshaw struck three boundaries in the space of two overs to race to 12, Ahhuja joined in on the action with effortless stroke making to bring the total past 100 to start the 21^st over.  

The individual 50 was brought up in style, heaving the ball over the leg side boundary as Morecambe were eyeing up a score over 250.  

Andrew Creech

The boundaries kept coming but a glorious 131 run partnership came to an end as a swing and a miss from Bradshaw (43) saw the bails fly off as Whatmuff got his first wicket of the day.  

158-3 and still 20 overs to go, Briggs stormed the total past 200 with a blistering 37 off 26 balls. Ahhuja got to 50 in 35 balls with a six and it was like history repeating itself with his 100 in 70 balls with a six sailing down the ground.  

Carnforth fought back with four wickets for 16 runs and getting Ahhuja for a magnificent 110 off 78 balls including four sixes.  

Michael Bland (16) and Lloyd Smith (27) put on a handy partnership at the back end of the innings. Morecambe posting a mammoth 293 runs to win.  

The run chase never got going due to Stefan Dixon ripping through the top order in a 15 over spell of five wickets for 39 runs.  

Ryan Nelson top scored with 41, but a defensive shot trickled back onto the stumps to sum up the visitor's day. 

Jackson got three wickets all clean bowled to take Morecambe within two wickets of victory.  

Alex Briggs

Pearson gave the ball to an unlikely candidate in Creech to wrap up the innings and in his bowling debut for the season delivered to the delight of the on looking crowd. Firstly, on target to trap, Toby Fursland (23) LBW then Sam Woodburn skied it straight to Bradshaw to wrap up the win.  

A 24-point weekend for Morecambe takes them to fourth in the Northern Premier League Division Two table.  

Next Saturday, it's fourth versus fifth away at Ernest Pass Memorial Ground to take on Barrow. Then on Sunday, back at Woodhill Lane to face Euxton in the Quarter Finals of the 40 Over Cup.