Disappointing finish

In a disappointing end to a terrific season, Lancaster went down to a 4 wicket defeat in their final 2013 encounter against St Annes. It was a game that typified the atmosphere of an end of season encounter, perhaps not played with the same competitive edge that have been hallmarks of Lancaster’s cricket this year.

Andy Kellett took the decision of many a visiting captain to Lune Road this year and opted to bat first. Danny Welbourne and Alex Metcalfe made an enterprising start, Welbourne fending off Mitchell Bolus in between playing some of the strokes that brought his maiden first team century last week, while Metcalfe lofted Matthew Grindley over his head with uncharacteristic aggression.

Grindley isn’t among the top amateur wicket takers this season for no reason however, and came back to remove Metcalfe inside edging a nip-backer that looped to gully from his thigh. Welbourne then greeted St Annes professional Toby Bulcock with a well hit sweep over mid-wicket, before a repeat swipe next ball ended with his demise for 18 caught at slip.

The weather made its presence felt throughout the day, with the game first being reduced to 40 overs aside before returning with irritating regularity as the afternoon wore on. Charlie Swarbrick’s entrance at number 4 was brief as Grindley returned this time from the Atherton Road end castling the young right-hander with a terrific delivery.

The rain then intervened to further reduce the encounter to 28 overs each. At the resumption Lancaster moved into a sturdy position at 55 for 3, as Jamie Heywood and Jannisar Khan looked for quick runs from Bulcock. Then the collapse came. Jannisar, no stranger to run outs in his stay this year, was once again found short of his crease attempting a quick single. Heywood tried one big shot too many to give Grindley his third, while Kieran Moffat departed in almost identical fashion soon after, 55 for 6.

Only Iain Burstow’s gritty 10 held firm as Lancaster’s lower order joined the collapse. Sam Moorby and Ben Simm were both guilty of playing across the line to Bulcock, while Scott Sparks innings contained many shots, but none of which made contact, 64-9 with Grindley taking 5. Matthew Liver and Burstow added a dozen more runs before the former became Bulcock’s fourth victim and the third to be bowled as Lancaster limped to 76 all out.

The day’s moisture changed the complexion of the pitch, the ball skidding onto the bat and making strokeplay marginally less difficult. St Annes took advantage in pursuing the small total, with Lukman Vahaluwala and the feisty Bulcock playing some bold strokes as the clouds closed in once again.

At 31 for 1 the covers returned and it looked to all observers to be game over. However, the rain relented and a deal was struck with St Annes requiring the remaining 45 runs from 10.3 overs in the fading light and soaking conditions. This signalled a fast paced period of play as St Annes went hell for leather anticipating the rain returning. Vahaluwala fell bowled Jannisar for 21 before Nathan Bolus became Simm’s second scalp, bowled swiping across the line.

All three results were still possible as Nathan Armstrong made a valuable cameo 12 before giving Simm his third, caught smartly by Liver on the long-on boundary. With 17 needed from 3 overs, Sajid Nalbandh struck the crucial blow, running at Jannisar and planting a length delivery over the banking to put St Annes back in the box seat. Simm bowled an excellent over conceding just 2 to leave the men from the Fylde coast requiring five from their final over from Jannisar.

Nalbandh departed first ball, run out by Moorby trying to regain the strike, 5 required from 5. Simm brought the field in, inviting new man Callum Jones to go over the top. The St Annes keeper took up the invitation planting the ball over mid-on to bring the scores level and all but seal victory for St Annes. Despite Jones being trapped LBW next ball, it was left to Matthew Taaffe to clip Jannisar through mid-wicket to give the visitors a win with 2 balls to spare.