Morecambe Cricket Club 2025 Palace Shield season review

Ethan Packard looks back at a magnificent season for Morecambe Cricket Club as they lifted the Palace Shield Premier Division crown.

The 2025 season for Morecambe 1st XI, started with hope and optimism as they attempted to go back-to-back promotions and into Northern League for the first time since 2021. 

The team welcomed overseas player David Rhoda from South Africa as the team stayed pretty much the same lead by captain Luke Pearson. 

Below: David Rhoda. All images by Tony North.

The first game of the season was against Torrisholme and it was a comfortable chase in the end of 124 as David Rhoda top scored on 46 not out. 

The wins kept on coming as it was another top performance cruising to victory beating Rufford by 112 runs as Alex Briggs got the first 50 for the 2025 campaign and then beating Westgate by 4 wickets chasing down 146 after Lloyd Smith took 3-52 and David Rhoda ended on 49 not out. 

From the highs of the first three games and a perfect start to the league season, came the first loss in the middle of May. Morecambe had made 207 all out but from 37 overs and it proved costly despite David Rhoda taking 4 wickets, Jack Mansfield’s 55 not out lead Kirkham and Wesham to victory in the penultimate over. 

Up next was a trip to Lune Road to play rivals Lancaster and it was an unbelievable 20 overs as the scoreboard read Lancaster 88-9. But a 64 last wicket partnership between Louw who made 86 and Sparks turned momentum to the home side. It proved pivotal as Morecambe were bowled out for 109.

Below: Lloyd Smith

Back-to-back losses in frustrating fashion and after 3 wins in a row soon became 3 losses in a row as they were comprehensively beaten by Eccleston by 46 runs as over 450 runs were scored at Woodhill Lane to end the month of May. 

The start of the cup competitions started in June and it was a 9 wicket win in the 2nd Round of the Meyler Cup against Withnell Fold followed by a T20 win versus Torrisholme. 

Back to league action and a reduced overs game against Fylde. Chasing 150 from 24 overs seemed like easy work as Alex Briggs blasted 70 off just 38 balls. But from 94-1 became 143-8. Five was required off the final over, and Lloyd Smith hit Will Smith for a 6 to send the away side into delight and get back to winning ways. Would it prove a turning point in the season? 

Below: Alex Briggs

It 100% would as ten wins in a row followed in the league and Meyler Cup . Some notable performances were Lewis Smith hitting back-to-back 100s hitting 105 v Burneside and then 102 v Westgate T20. Alex Briggs hitting his maiden century in astonishing fashion 128 off 61 balls including 13 6s versus Penrith. Brothers Lloyd and Lewis Smith both getting 7-27 and 7-36 respectively and David Rhoda consistently taking wickets and scoring runs as he took his first Morecambe 1st XI 5fer (5-49) away at Penrith. 

The unbeaten streak would end at home to Kirkham but the following day was one of the best games of the season. 554 runs in a Meyler Cup Final as Woodhill Lane hosted Morecambe v Leyland 2nds. After a nervy start and being 72-3 an unbelievable 211 partnership between George Battersby and David Rhoda as Battersby scored 132 off 90 balls getting the hosts to 294-7. Leyland never gave up and fought till the end but eventually fell 34 runs short, crowning Morecambe champions of the 2025 Meyler Cup.

Below: Lewis Smith

Despite a loss to Fylde by 9 runs, Morecambe were sitting comfortably at the top of the league and after a 20 over reduced match win v Burneside followed by a 21 run win at home to Heysham sealed promotion back to the Northern Premier league! 

In the penultimate game of the season they travelled to Preston and won by 16 runs to seal the league title and champions of the Palace Shield Premier Division. The final game of the season did unfortunately get abandoned due to rain but it didn’t sadden the mood as Morecambe 1st XI won the league by 32 points , ending on 16 wins and 209 points overall. 

End of Season Awards:

Batting Award - Alex Briggs - 910 runs which included seven half centuries and and a century.

Bowling Award - David Rhoda - 56 wickets and 772 runs, with a best of 71 which came in the Final of the Meyler Cup

Player’s Player Award - Lewis Smith - 907 runs which included seven half centuries and two centuries, and also took 45 wickets.