2nds Fall Short

After a few tricky early season logistical issues regarding setting up the ground before play began, Danny Welbourne won the toss and elected to field on a dry early season track. The young pair of Steven Armstrong and Callum East lead the attack, East making the breakthrough, removing Lee Thompson for 11. The Darwen top order were solid in their accumulation of runs, Gary Jackson posting a solid half-century, while Zac Whalley compiled 36. Welbourne made a rare entry into the bowling attack with his mercurial left arm spin castling Whalley going for a heave. Nathan Baxter picked up 2 scalps later in the piece, and Armstrong returned to pick up a couple of well earned wickets too. Rik Ghosh coped admirably as stand in wicket-keeper, but the absence of a full-time spinner hurt the home side, as Darwen posted an above par 168 for 6 from their 45 overs.

Lancaster didn't have the best of starts as left-arm veteran and captain Andrew Cook removed George Potter for just 2. The experienced heads of Welbourne and Michael Armstrong steadied the ship and laid the foundations for a good challenge for the total. A fatigued Armstrong was removed for a solid 20, as Welbourne continued to play his shots. Debutant Ryan Carey joined Welbourne, and looked assured. At 92-2 with Welbourne reaching his upteenth 50 of his Northern League career, the home side's dominant position evaporated somewhat as Welbourne lost patience with Greg Lawrenson, and was stumped for 54, which could have been more.

The middle order struggled with to keep up with the rising run rate; Andrew Fletcher, in his first game at Lune Road for three years, nicked off for 4. Carey continued before he too fell for 26. The lower order sacrificed themselves in pursuit of the total, with 5 wickets falling for 15 runs. The total out of reach, it was left to Callum East and Steven Armstrong to see out the remaining deliveries and secure the losing draw point.

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