Morecambe's winning start ended by Kirkham & Wesham

Morecambe Cricket Club First XI lost for the first time in the league this season in a competitive match at Kirkham & Wesham.

Morecambe were bowled out for 207 with Lewis Smith top scoring with 50, and Alex Briggs and David Rhoda weighing in with knocks of 41 and 37 respectively.

Kirkham & Wesham scored 209/8, with Rhoda picking up four wickets and Lloyd Smith three.

Morecambe still picked up five points to add to their league total.

Morecambe 1st XI won the toss and decided to bat first, and made a fine start in the opening six overs putting 33 on the board without loss.

But quickly became 37-2 in the next over as Harry Snape (2-21) got the wickets of opener Luke Pearson and three balls later bowled Ashton Ward.

The wickets didn’t make Morecambe play any different though as the runs were piled on and after Alex Briggs hit spinner Bailey for 20 in the over the score was 102-2 off only 13 overs.

A change in bowling brought a change of luck for the home side as Lewis Smith was adjudged LBW for a well made 50 and Alex Briggs was well bowled for 41 off only 19 balls.

A partnership of 51 between overseas David Rhoda (37) and Lloyd Smith (15) got the score past 150 and with 20 overs left looked like the away side could be on for a big total.

It wouldn’t be the case though as Morecambe 1st XI lost their last six wickets, for just 51 runs inside 10 overs, Justin Banks (2-7) and Antony Wilson (4-60) being the pick of the bowlers and Jamie Holmes ended up on 21 not out.

Morecambe 1st XI were bowled out for 207 off just 37 overs. 

The run chase started well for Kirkham and after 15 overs were 68-1 with Rizwan Patel (1-41) getting the only wicket so far. But the game took a turn as Rhoda got capitan Roberts-Hodgson (7) and very next ball struck the pad of Castellas from 80-1 very quickly became 80-3 and it became worse for the home side as Cunliffe and Bailey were both dismissed by the overseas spinner (4-48).

The away side were back on top with Kirkham needing 105 from 22 overs with only 5 wickets left. Opener Ian Dunn was still at the crease and made a well worked 50 to keep the run chase intact but fell for 54 as he was bowled via a yorker from Lloyd Smith.

The game looked to be in the balance now with the home side needing 47 from 42 balls. In came Kirkham and Weshams overseas Justin Banks and he took no time messing around as he hit four 4s inside two overs to get the home side into touching distance of victory.

The drama kept on coming as Lloyd Smith (3-59) got back to back wickets in the same over dismissing Justin Banks (21) and clean bowled Harry Snape. 

Twelve was required from 18 balls but only two wickets remained. Jack Mansfield remained composed and brought up his 50 and two balls later hit Lloyd Smith for 4 to win the game for the home side winning by two wickets with one over to spare.

A much needed win for Kirkham after three losses and Morecambe fell to their first defeat of the season. 

Morecambe 1st XI will be looking to bounce back next week as they travel to Lune Road to face rivals Lancaster, 1pm start.

The 1st XI will also be in action on Friday evening as the T20 competition starts - they will make the trip to Burneside for a 6pm start.

Photos by Tony North.

Lewis Smith

Luke Pearson