Morecambe CC on brink of Palace Shield Premier Division title after Burneside victory

Morecambe CC moved to within touching distance of promotion and winning the Palace Shield Premier Division title after victory over Burneside.

Morecambe bounced back from back-to-back defeats to move 25 points clear at the top of the table, and 31 points clear of third place, with three games of the season remaining, and a maximum of 36 points to play for.

With rain forecast both sides agreed to play a 20 overs a side game. Morecambe won the toss and elected to bat. 

Smith and Briggs opened up and hit two boundaries each early on but were both out for 11 as Smith was caught by Airey and Briggs bowled by Chambers. Pearson was run out by Kelsall for 8. Creech hit the first 6 of the day but very next ball was bowled by Chambers for 16.

Rhoda steadied the innings and got the score past 100 with double digit scores from Dixon and Lloyd Smith. A short cameo of 14 not out by Ward helped Morecambe finish on 141-8. Rhoda top scored with 39 and Phillips, Leacock and Chambers all finished with two wickets.

Philips got Burneside off to a good start but Thwaites departed as he was bowled by Lloyd Smith for 5. Cook and Phillips got the score ticking along nicely but Phillips was LBW by Dixon for 22 soon followed by Rhoda running out Cook for 24.

No one else could get going for the home side with no one else making double figures. Bland got the wickets of Leacock and Chambers and Briggs got two wickets in one over as Airey was caught by Smith for 6 and then Greenwood was LBW for 0. Mawson ran out Leo Kelsall to wrap up a dominant performance for the away side.

Morecambe winning 50 runs as Burneside could only make 91-9 from 20 overs. Bland 2-14 and Briggs 2-2 the pick of the bowlers and Rhoda, Lloyd Smith and Dixon all got one each. 

This Saturday Morecambe play hosts to Heysham at Woodhill Lane, with a 1pm start, knowing victory would secure both promotion and the league title.