DEFEAT LEAVES LANCASHIRE FRUSTRATED

Lancashire 82/10

1. Dixon 23
2. Ferguson 2/10

Sussex 93/10

1. Gee 34
2. Piper 30
3. Dixon 6/5
4. Lancashire suffered a 11 run lose on Sunday to Sussex, meaning 2 bonus points by Yorkshire, added to the rained off game led the White rose team to the championship.

Lancashire headed into Sundays game knowing should they win the game then depending on other results they could have clinched the County Championship and setting up a final against the Lords Taverners.

Things started well down at Church Meadows as the hosts won the toss and invited the visitors to have a Bat.

Jimmy Dixon was once again leading the charge with the ball reducing the opposition to 40/4 very quickly, and continued on to remove the next 2 batters as Sussex reached 72/6, bowling 5 of the batters and the other trapping LBW.

He finished with Figures of 8 overs 5 maidens 5 runs 6 Wkts.

With runs coming from the other end only 2 batters got into double figures Piper 30 and Gee 34, Waqass Khan on his home ground was able to regain his stability with the ball and pick up 3 wickets for 13 runs from his 8 overs, before youngster Tyler Preece came into the attack to wrap up the innings bowling Sussex out for 93.

First part of the Challenge completed, Lancashire went out knowing 94 runs was between them and a potential final and things started well as 11 runs were scored off the first 2 overs.

Meskell was then trapped in front for 3, bringing the skipper to the crease, 14 for 1, just 80 runs and lots of time to get them

11 overs gone and Lancashire had reached 42 runs, nearly half way, come on boys we are nearly there, take your time.

42 for 2 as Finneran edged to the keeper, then 14 overs 50 for 3 with Holmes returning to the pavilion having scored 9.

In the 17^th Over Lancashire had reached 61 for the loss of the 3 wickets, nearly 2/3 of the way there, surely we can continue on and secure the 30 points.

Whether it was the news coming through from Surrey that rain had arrived and the teams were off the pitch, or if the bowlers found their rhythm, suddenly it was 63/4, 66/5 and the game was turning.

News coming through – “John we’ve just lost another one” wasn’t the news I wanted to hear.

76/6

77/7

80/8

What are we doing, hold your nerve boys and do what you’ve done throughout the winter and in the friendly games we’ve played.

81/9 and finally the nail in the coffin 82 all out.

News reached then that Yorkshire had been rained off, picking up 12 points to secure the win.

Difficult to take but definitely a feeling that needs to be healed next season. A few negatives to be ironed out over the winter months, bowling consistency to plan, backed up by more alertness in the field.

Real positives for the team are the level of players now being registered to play for the squad, lots of the younger members have shown great development and are now becoming regulars in the line up rather than making up the team.

Thankyou to Ribblesdale Wanderers for hosting the fixture and providing teas for the 2 sides, hopefully a return will be on the cards next season

We conclude our season with a small trip to the Lake district on the Bank Holiday weekend to take on Burneside CC, once again allowing the squad members the opportunity to perform