Blackpool underline title challenge
Blackpool defeated Fleetwood by 7 wickets on Sunday in a Second Division fixture brought forward from August to accommodate Lancashire's County Championship fixture at Stanley Park. Blackpool captain Andy Griffiths reports:
Following yesterday's washout it was important that Blackpool could capitalise on their extra game this weekend against Fleetwood to put pressure on the front-runners in the second division.
If Blackpool have any serious intentions of winning the league for the first time since the early 1990's, then with three games brought forward from August, to cater for the Lancashire versus Surrey County Championshipfixture, it is important that we build a lead at the top during the next two months.
With the conditions resembling that of a wind tunnel, with 40-50mph gusts, which caused one of the sight-screens to blow over and be damaged in the process, prevented bails from being used, and challenged the concentration of the batsmen and the will of the fielders, could this be a potential banana skin?
Vice Captain Steve Mercer, taking the side in the absence of Andy Griffiths, lost the toss, and Fleetwood with a weakened side and wary of the strong Blackpool batting line up which had posted 250 in the reverse fixture, elected to bat.
Bowling and fielding is never easy on a day like this, which for some was by far the worst conditions they had experienced on a cricket field!
The Blackpool opening bowlers, Andy Armstong and Jamie Hogarth, both made early breakthroughs, but had to rely on bowling the batsmen as the fielders did not fancy hanging on to any sharp chances with cold hands!
Jamie Hogarth bowled Grieve (3) and James Gregson (0) whilst Army took his tally to 31 for the season by bowling make-shift opener Neil Gregson (8) and having Hay (0) caught behind by Ben Heath, who with the benefit of a pair of gloves was happier than most to accept the ball.
Young Under 15, Fenney (30) and captain Tom Clarke (20) provided stubborn resistance, but Clarke was undone when Mercer brought himself on to replace Hogarth, and was undone first ball, bowled by one that swung in the breeze.
Partington (2) was run out by the athletic Michael Penney, Mercer picked up his second with Penney taking the catch offered by Richardson (4) and finally with the onset of spin, young Fenney's defiant vigil was ended when Boothy bowled him for a well made 30.
Jamie Hogarth returned to the fray to polish off Christian (7), and Boothy flighted one to have Latus (14) stumped by Ben Heath.
Fleetwood's 100 all out in 34.1 overs was a reasonable effort considering the regulars they had missing, and Blackpool, with rain possible at any time, were disappointed with their fielding effort.
In reply, Blackpool knew that the opening pair of Gregson and Clarke were both capable of causing problems with the new ball, but set off in positive fashion, determined to chase down the small total with minimum fuss. Newton having played a couple of lovely shots to the boundary played all round one to be bowled by Clarke for 10.
Knocker was joined by Jamie Hogarth, who was fortunate to be given a life early in his innings, and as it was this partnership took the game away from Fleetwood. With both batsmen keen to drive when the ball was pitched up and happy to play to leg when the ball was pitched short, the runs were coming thick and fast.
With victory in sight Hogarth perished for 26 and within a few balls young Michael Penney hit one straight in the air to be dismissed for a duck.
With Knocker looking comfortable at the other end, Bracey (8 not out) joined in the fun by pulling two balls for 4, but left enough time for Knocker to hit the winning runs and pass 50 for the first time in second team cricket, finishing a well deserved 57 not out with his final 20 runs coming in boundaries - Well Done, Knocker...
All in all a win is a win, and the 12 points on offer for this particular victory takes us one point clear of Chorley with a mouth-watering clash to look forward to next weekend, when we host our nearest challengers. With players missing in both the 1st and 2nd XI next weekend, the game comes at the worst possible time, and will truly test the full extent of the squad!
