Chorley hang on after Lancaster hammering

The 1st XI outplayed table rivals Chorley in all departments at Windsor Park. Months of rainfall have taken their toll on all grounds and the bowl at Windsor park was no exception as the boundary was roped in and the game reduced to 42 overs-a-side after an hours delay. Ben said it would be a good toss to lose, and so it proved, as Andy Holdsworth put us in on a wet track. After an unusually brisk start we lost Meccers and Jamie early on, but Timycen, although his dressing room crooning was out of tune, his batting certainly wasn't. His 64 came in good time putting any 'rubbish in the bin.' However we did lose wickets at the other end as Mini Moff, Joe Atkinson and JD all fell to soft dismissals... each dismissal getting uglier as they went along. Enter Simmo who dug in while Timycen continued on his merry way. Chorley pro Gaurav Dhar and left arm spinner Iain Critchley offered some control for the hosts, and had much cause for optimism when Timmy fell to a sharp catch at cover, that everyone, not least the fielder were surprised stuck.

With 8 overs left Ben paddled his way to a useful 16 before being adjudged LB after being hit in the nether regions. Debutant Matty Liver played a lovely little cameo of 17 with Scott Sparks (15) and both ran the Chorley field ragged. 152-8 was definitely an above par total, but we had to keep the intensity up in the field.

Moff worried the Chorley batsman from the off, keeping the runs down but it was Ben who got the first breakthrough as home skipper Holdsworth top edged a sweep to Meccers at 45. The scoreboard was going nowhere and the sheer pressure, like that of tyre, was too much as Alex Howarth was stumped after a painful 1. Stand-in wicket keeper Luke Walker had an excellent day behind the stumps, taking 2 catches and completing a sharp stumping behind the sticks off Simmo; there could be some selection dilemas in the offing soon!

Moff finally got reward for probing seam bowling and encouraging the drive taking 4-28 in 19 overs on a very slow pitch; with help from a sublime fielding effort, as Meccers hung on to a reflex catch above his head and Jamie confirmed he had the safest hands in the league by hanging on to another nick. Moff deserved a five-for but it wasn't to be, as Chorley shut up shop for the losing draw with 15 overs left.

Despite all we threw at them the efforts of Michael Critchley and James Daniels meant a dissatisfying stalemate ensued as Chorley limped to 81-7 off their 42 overs. Credit to the home batsman for defending doggedly for the cause, but only 7 points for what, for all intents and purposes was a rout, still grates. Swings and roundabouts, bring on Blackpool and finals day!

Inset: Blurred weekend action.