Morecambe CC move to brink of Palace Shield crown and confirm promotion after latest victory

Morecambe Cricket Club beat Heysham to move to within a point of the Palace Shield Premier Division title.

The victory at Woodhill Lane at the weekend also confirms the club’s promotion to the Northern Premier League.

Morecambe hosted Heysham knowing 12 points would win them the Palace Shield Premier Division with two games remaining. 

Heysham won the toss and elected to field first. The visitors made an immediate impact as former Morecambe player Jamie Cassidy got the early breakthrough dismissing Lewis Smith for 0. Pearson and Creech however hit regular boundaries to see the score past 50 inside 10 overs.

A bowling change brought Heysham their second wicket as Ollie Toulmin picked up his first of the day as Luke Pearson was out caught by brother Ryan Pearson for 40 off 35 balls. In came Alex Briggs and fired a rapid 33 off just 20 balls which included 4 fours and 2 sixes. 113-2 quickly became 115-4 though as Heysham got right back into the game.

The very next over Creech was bowled by Toulmin as he made 31. Rhoda ticked the score over nicely as Morecambe approached 150. But Backhouse and Dixon would fall in quick succession both making 6. The wickets would continue to fall around overseas player Rhoda, as firstly McClements trapped Bland LBW for 15 and Calverley got Ward for 0. Rhoda would bring up a much needed 50 in the circumstances as Morecambe went past 200.

Rhoda ended up being bowled for 57 on the very last ball of the innings as Heysham secured their final bowling point. 

Morecambe made 218 all out from exactly 45 overs. McClements 3-34, Cassidy 3-54 and Toulmin 3-71 were the pick of Heysham bowlers.

Match images. Photos by Tony North.

Luke Pearson made 40.

Andrew Creech

Taylor Backhouse

Heysham opened up with Antcliffe and Volker but it didn’t last as long as they would’ve hoped as Antcliffe edged behind to Ward and very next ball Bovis did the exact same as Patel got two wickets in two balls.

Just like in the first innings, a change of bowling then brought a wicket as Bland got Pearson for 12 as the ball went straight to Dixon at point. Bland would get another soon after as Lee Calverley was caught behind with Ward picking up his 3rd catch of the day. Just like Lee did, Sam Calverley would get out to Bland this time just after the drinks break to leave Heysham 82-5.

However, Volker, who was past 50 and McClements gave Heysham a glimmer of hope as they doubled the score and put on 82. Heysham requiring 55 off 24 balls. Volker on 97 would fall just short of his maiden 100 as Ward got his fifth catch. Graeme Cassidy’s cameo of 22 off 9 balls which included a last ball 6 got Heysham their third batting point which could be crucial in the fight for survival as they moved three points ahead of Rufford with two games to go.

Jamie Cassidy

Sam McClements

They did however fall 21 runs short as they finished on 197-8, Morecambe picking up 11 points and Heysham 6 points,  Morecambe wicket takers were Bland with 3-25, Patel 2-25 and Lewis Smith 2-10 Rhoda 1-68. 

The win secures Morecambe promotion back to the Northern Premier League for the 2026 season. Next week they travel to Preston knowing just one point will crown them as Champions of the Palace Shield Premier Division.