Morecambe extend lead at the top of Palace Shield after Burneside victory

Morecambe extended their lead at the top of the Palace Shield Premier Division after beating Burneside.

Morecambe batted first and made a positive start, 55-0 off 10 overs. The first wicket of the day came as Luke Pearson was caught for 23. The runs continued though as Lewis Smith brought up his 50 in the 17th over.

Smith and Creech put on a brilliant partnership of 80 before Creech was run out for 28. Morecambe 146-2 off 28 overs. In the space of five overs, Briggs and Rhoda would both be caught by overseas player Jack Cook as Burneside got back into the match. With the score getting near 200, Lewis Smith brought up a magnificent 100 off 108 balls which included 17 4s. His innings would come to an end in the next over as he was bowled by Ben Phillips for 105.

Morecambe would then go from 188-4 to 201-8. As Burneside picked up four wickets in as many overs. The tail for Morecambe would add 20 runs, finishing on 221 all out from 44 overs. Nathan Chambers 4-61 and Ben Phillips 2-58 the main wicket takers for Burneside.

Burneside in pursuit of 222 didn’t start like they would’ve hoped. Lloyd Smith bowled opener Greenwood in the first over and bowled Airey for 8 to reduce the away side to 32-2 from 7 overs. Jack Cook and Ben Phillips would be the key if Burneside were to get close to the target. The pair put on 70 and were going well but Phillips on 40, tried sweeping Rhoda but the ball went straight into the hands of Alex Briggs at slip.

From his earlier century, Lewis Smith picked up the crucial wicket of Cook as he made 54 and would then go onto get Chambers and Batty to make Morecambe firm favourites as Burneside were 123-6 from 30 overs. When Rhoda bowled Bowman for 5 the game looked sealed for the home side. But captain Leacock had other ideas, has he hit a blistering 42 in just 23 balls to give Burneside a chance but when he was bowled by Smith, the away side still needed 50 off 8 overs but with one wicket left.

The final wicket came two overs later as centurion and Lewis Smith claimed the last wicket to see Morecambe to a 40 run victory, returning figures of 5-75 to go with his 105 with the bat. David Rhoda 3-46 and Lloyd Smith 2-35 also picked up wickets.

The win sends Morecambe 13 points clear at the top of the table after Fylde and Preston both lost. Morecambe will be looking to extend their lead even further as they take on Heysham away on Saturday.