Morecambe through to Meyler Cup final after Penrith victory

Morecambe are into the final of the Meyler Cup after edging past Penrith in their semi-final encounter at Woodhill Lane.

Morecambe won the toss and elected to bat first.

Lewis Smith hit the first ball of the innings for six but it was Penrith who struck early as Farmer bowled Briggs in the second over.

Smith and Pearson consolidated the innings and made 72 together before Smith was bowled by Hall for 40 on the stroke of the drinks break with the score on 84/2 off 15 overs.

Morecambe looked on for a big score at 103-2 but Pearson got caught on the boundary for 32 to get Penrith back in the game. The game would drastically change as Morecambe went from 103-2 to 125-9 inside 8 overs. Rhoda and Battersby both caught plying big shots and Ward and Dixon were both bowled and in between that Creech was run out for 19.

Morecambe’s last wicket partnership put on 20 to make the score a bit more competitive finishing on 145 all out. Sam Hall ended with 4-2 , Zealand 2-16 and Ellwood 2-36 for the visitors.

Lloyd Smith and Stef Dixon bowled well up top as Penrith from 10 overs were only on 16-1 with Dixon getting the wicket of Craig.  Zealand was next to go as he was trapped LBW by Smith for 1 and when Ward excellently caught Burns down the leg side  for 11, the game was in the balance at 25-3.

Dixon would get two in two next over to leave the away side in real trouble and when Lewis Smith bowled Simpson for 4 the score was 37-6.

It would get no better for Penrith as Rhoda picked up 3 wickets in his 8 overs to leave Penrith 76-9. A last wicket partnership of 70 was the last hope to make it through to the final. Ellwood and Hall rotated strike well to get the score to over 100, 27 was then needed from 12 balls, Lloyd smith to bowl the penultimate over and after a wide and a 2, the last ball bowled Ellwood for 25 sending the home side into delight as Morecambe won by 24 runs.

Sam Hall finished not out on 41, Rhoda took 3-33, Dixon 3-18, Lloyd Smith 2-16 and Lewis Smith 2-14.

Morecambe will face Leyland 2s at Woodhill Lane on Sunday August 17 in the Meyler Cup Final.