2nds chase Hard but come up short

One of very few fixtures that went ahead in last weekend's league programme, was a reduced overs affair at Broadwater.

Fleetwood elected to have first bat in the 28 overs contest, a decison that looked a very good one as Scott Richardson and Zack Coultas put together a sizeable quick scoring opening partnership of 66. The more senior members of the Lancaster attack replaced the young opening seamers, with Andrew Fletcher finally prising out Coultas for 36 while Nathan Baxter was economical from the other end. Richardson brought up his 50 in less than ideal batting conditions, supported by cameos from Crosbie and Jackson. Baxter was rewarded for his persistence trapping Jackson in front after running out Crosbie earlier. Fleetwood finishing on a competitive 137 for 3, with Richardson unbeaten on 56.

Lancaster captain Danny Welbourne and George Potter were not fazed by the total, however, laying a solid foundation before Welbourne holed out to Neil Jackson. Fletcher continued where Welbourne left off, and at 61 for 1 the visitors were in the box seat. From then on Lancaster lost wickets at regular intervals as the run rate climbed; Wilkinson removing Potter with Ellison and Coultas, rounding off a fine day, picking up 3 wickets each. Michael Armstrong in the middle order offered stern resistance to help ensure Lancaster came away with at least a point. Ghosh and McGinley saw out the final few deliveries to leave Lancaster 120-8 at the close.