A Saturday to forget for the 1sts

It was a Saturday many at the club will wish to banish from their memories, as the 1st team were brought back down to earth with a heavy defeat. While the ground from a distance looked at picture, the pitch at Lune road suffered from the overnight rains and deteriorated throughout the day; even an ardent optimist would struggle to find an adjective other than poor to describe it. Leyland, as agreed before the toss, batted first and looked in little trouble despite the conditions. Henry Thompson and the in-form Luis Reece taking advantage of the opening bowlers rich variety of lengths. While Iain Perrieman and Matt White did beat the bat on the odd occasion, Pieter Malan's difficult dropped catch off the latter was the only notable chance early on.

Ben Simm entered the attack to try and arrest some control, and immediately forced an error from Reece who aerially mistimed a straight drive, only for Alex Metcalfe at mid-on to spill the simple chance; Reece went on to make 64. The home side's situation went from bad to worse when Perrieman had to be removed from the attack after delivering 3 beamers with a dubiously shaped ball. At drinks, Leyland were 130 without loss and coasting on a difficult pitch. Spinners Scott Sparks and Metcalfe did slow the scoring rate eventually; Sparks impressing, reeling off 16 overs having had little bowling this year. His changes of pace were rewarded when Reece was finally strangled down the leg-side. The run rate fell after Thompson attempted an ill advised second run to Charlie Swarbrick's strong arm, departing for 67. Number 4 Daniel Lamb did endure a pained innings, but the damage had already been done. McDonnell cleared the ropes twice late on to swell Leyland's total beyond 200, as Metcalfe picked up 3 late consilation wickets.

Leyland 218 was a tough ask at any ground, however the half-time heavy roller and drying track made it a nigh-on impossibility. Accurate bowling from Dale Jones and Lancashire contracted Luis Reece tore through the Lancaster top order, as the ball popped and spat intermittently from a good length. At 15 for 3 off as many overs, Lancaster's chances looked slim, and became even slimmer when sub-professional Pieter Malan spooned to cover. Lee Sparks, tried to change the pace, planting Reece over his head for 4, while Danny Welbourne gamely dug in. It was, however, a false dawn as the home side slipped further to 34-7. The elder statesmen of the side Ben Simm and Iain Perrieman restored some pride, showing application that the top order did not. Simm playing some fine aggressive strokes during his 31 while Perrieman played second fiddle. The end came quickly, however, when Lamb cleaned up Simm attempting a second maximum, before Andrew Makinson wrapped up the game. Reece capped off a fine game for the visitors taking 5-24, while Ben Simm's men will have to regroup for Netherfield's visit next Saturday.

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