Around the leagues 2

 General consensus at the half wy stage Rainford did not have enough and so it proved, on a from a distance a greenish looking wicket which also took turn late, there was only one decent partnerhip 44 between Dotters and Desai however wickets fell at regular points which hindered Rainford's ability to post a larger score, a 10th wicket stand of 19 gave the scoreline a little bit more respectability. Desai top scored with 29 possibly controversially given out, there were doubts the catch and whether there were the required number of fielders within the circle.

Caused a bit of a protest but once the finger is raised you walk no matter what.

Spikey start to Blackpool innings early LBW appeal turned down however the Rainford's stumpers appeal was deemed to be over the top, think he received a warning. Things calmed down a bit after that, early wicket for Rainford but a 56 partnership between Needham and Henshall and one of 36 bwtween Taaffe and Boyne took Blackpool to the brink of victory. Dotters pick of the bowlers for Rainford who quite magnificently started the innings bowling spin.



https://blackpool.play-cricket.com/websi...ts/6712186

Around the leagues

 http://redirect.viglink.com/?key=71fe213...ts/6686091

The last time I saw a Lancashire League match Sherwin Campbell was pro for Accrington, he is now 54. Actually surprised at how big the playing surface was as well.
Originally the Lancashire league had 14 founder clubs, the league now has two divisions in which nine of the founder clubs are now in, including once powerhouse East Lancashire, how things have changed over the years.
Both Churchh and Enfield had spinners as pros suspect neither will score many with the willow and both are spinners, Maduwatha right arm and Ngoepe left arm.
Church batted first struggled Lia Jackson took the first four wickets thanks to some not great shots whilst Madu had countless shouts for LBW turned down did sem to question a few decisions but the phrase you have just been aquaited with a league umpire who gives nothing.
Taking out the need for referral, he bowled the next two and Church were staggering along at 38-6
Hussain batted sensibly and correctly to make 41 not out and steered the home side to 93 all out.





Enfield looked to finish the game in double quick time racing to 77-1 in very quick time heled by some distincly average fielding and Wright and Basarahat sending everything to the boundary.
Then came a period of play which is the reason why the game is great. Ngoepe took three wickets in an over, game on so to speak, the home side further reduced Enfield to 88-6 but they just about squeezed over the line





Estimated about 150 were on the ground and out of the wind it was warm

http://redirect.viglink.com/?key=71fe213...ts/6778275

Blackpool won at a canter against an understrength Egerton side and now wander their way to Leigh in the next round.
Winning the toss they racked up 246 which looked about 50 less than they were going to get having got off to a blistering start. Progress was stalled slightly due to a ball change which took about 10 minutes, as the innings progressed the Egerton spinners began to take a semblance of control, Ali got 4-44
Batting wise Munir and Taffe both made half centuries probably should have got more but 247 looked a tough task and so it proved as the breeze got stronger and colder the visitors batting crumbled easily only pro Ali looked in control and when he went quite possibly a harsh decision the end was not long in coming

https://fyldecc.play-cricket.com/website...ts/6715231

Double games this weekend, first up Fylde v Burneside, possibly the first ever league meeting between the sides as I think this is Burneside's first season in the Palace Shield having moved from the Westmorland League.
For those who don't know Burnesideis just to the North of Kendal. Anorak factif you are travelling by train to Burbeside you need to get in the middle carriage of three, as the platform isn't big enough to have three train coaches.
First over of the game was slightly chaotic from Tupman, first ball wild swish by Airey dropped at second slip, next ball slogged over mid wicket, another four with a really good cover drive and he nearly also holed out at mid off. Twenty plus from two overs before the wickets started to fall and the spinners came on at one end.
As with league sides they have one bowler who will bowl maximum overs and plug one end, Thomas did that bowled well used his experience could have had more wickets but inability to catch a ball by some of his team mates let him down.
Useful late order runs, interesting technique Noyo who tried to hit most balls into orbit. 142 never looked enough and so it proved.
Fylde 70 plus for 2 overs in hand didn't exctly cruise to victory but were made to work for their runs, which they did with about 4 overs to spare, Park and Phillips tried their best but to no avail



https://cumbriaccc.play-cricket.com/webs...ts/6780397

These counties are so small they are minor, new ground for me Kendal, nearly got to play on it about 10 years ago but the match I was playing in was transferred to a school in Sedburgh, not the main one, the secondary school for locals, game itself was a turgid affair 120 runs in nearly 80 overs and a girl got me out.

Anyway I digressed, back to the Cumbria game, coloured clothing with a white ball at either end. Cumbria won the toss inserted the opposition, Kirkwood and Choudary put bat to ball in the early stages and the visitors looked on course for a massive score, but local Kendal player Backhouse bowled Cumbria back into the game and after a run out, Cambridge were 105-5.
Within a blink of an eye they were up to 203 before the next wicket fell, Wilson scoring 71 in a partnership with Guest 40 turned the game around, the former batted really well and was instrumental in Cambridge racking up 255 which looked more than enough.
Cumbria never really looked like getting close and lost wickets at regular intervals and a late order partnership got them to 138.

Cambridge more experience than a fairly young Cumbria side and it showed.

Kendal decent place to watch the game

Bat on Ball 2025

British Summer Time starts tomorrow and on Friday the County Cricket Season starts with a full round of fixtures, league cricket will start in dribs and drabs throughout April.

Retired from playing last season, so just a watching brief this season, my old club Wyre will have a brand new pavillion to use when it is finished until the end of June they will be playing at the AKS school in Lytham. Wish them well for the forthcoming season. 

Will spend a lot of the season watching club cricket in various locations the promise of warmer days lies ahead and the sound of ball on bat