Rain the winning

Morecambe 2nds 97-4 (3pts) v *Netherfield 163-6 (8pts)

The only winner from the Morecambe 2nds 1st game of the season was the weather. The start of the match being delayed by 3 hours meant the game was reduced to 28 overs per side.

Morecambe won the toss and asked the visitors to bat, Qayyum made an immediate impact removing both openers in his first 2 overs. Gallagher and the impressive Joe Atkinson steadied the ship taking advantage of poor fielding. Maje then struck together with another Qayyum strike leaving Netherfield on 53-4 and the inning in the balance. The experienced Clement provided excellent support to Atkinson adding just short of 50 runs before the latter fell for 50 well caught by Gudgeon. The final six overs saw Clement and Boyd really accelerated the scoring rate adding 55 runs for the loss just Boyd (15). Clements onslaught saw him to 61 no which including taking 19 off the last over as the inning closed on 163-6.

Morecambe’s reply never looked like challenging the imposing Netherfield total with both Clinton and Portman bowling tightly. Clement then removed the experienced Maje bringing new boy Ghosal to the wicket. They added 30 before Derham was caught for 17. Ghosal aimed some lusty blows at the Netherfield bowlers in his total of 39 which included two sixes. It was left to debutant Bray (9no) & Fisher (15no) to ensure that a losing draw was achieved without any further dramas.