Dramatic last over victory increases Morecambe CC’s lead in Palace Shield

Morecambe CC’s lead at the top of the Palace Shield Premier Division has been extended after a thrilling last over victory.

Morecambe won the toss and elected to bat first as they travelled to Eccleston CC. 

It was a different opening pair as Smith and Dixon started proceedings for Morecambe. But it didn’t last long as Abbas made the early breakthrough as Dixon was dismissed LBW for 2.

Regular boundaries between Creech and Smith kept the score ticking over as Morecambe went past 50 in the 14th over. Searching for a wicket, Iqbal was Eccleston’s 6th bowler used before the 20th over and he made an immediate impact. First ball bowling Smith for 42 and very next ball Briggs was caught behind, no such luck for the hat trick ball as Rhoda came to crease but Eccleston right back into the game with Morecambe 89-3 off 20 overs.

Straight after drinks, Iqbal would get his 3rd bowling Creech for a well made 44. Rhoda was then caught and bowled by Foster as Morecambe found themselves in a bit of trouble at 122-5. It would get worse for the away side as Iqbal picked up his 5fer, as he got the wickets of both Pearson and Battersby.

It would get even better for him as he got his 6th of the day as Ward was caught for a quick 19 and when Bland was caught a few overs later it left Morecambe 164-9. However, Lloyd Smith and Patel put on 30 for the last wicket as Morecambe were bowled out for 194 in the last over. Creech top scored with 44 and Iqbal ended with figures of 6-35 from 11 overs. 

Norris and Foster made a solid start inside 8 overs but a brilliant direct hit from George Battersby with one stump to aim at brought Morecambe their first wicket. Foster departing for 13. Similar to the first innings the second wicket partnership was as equally good between Norris and Edwards as Eccleston went past 100. Norris would them chip one straight back to Dixon as he just fell short of 50, making 47.

Edwards then hit four boundaries in six balls to get the run rate down to just over four an over. Smith was then caught by Ward soon followed by Charnley caught by Briggs to get Morecambe right back into the game.

The game was turning towards the away sides favour especially when Iqbal was stumped and very next over Dixon bowled Abbas. All of a sudden from 132-2 became 153-6, with 42 runs to win from 8 overs . Bradley and overseas player Edwards rotated the strike well, and 11 was needed from 12 balls and it looked certain for Eccleston to win especially with Edwards on 77 not out. Bradley was caught by Briggs off the bowling of Rhoda , as 11 off 11 was required. New batter Jones took a single but Edwards missed back to back deliveries, and he could only find 1 from the 5 balls as 10 was now required from the last over.

Dixon bowling to Edwards they made a single but trying to scamper back for 2, Jones was run out. 9 off 5, next ball they did make two keeping Edwards on strike. With 7 needed off 4 balls, Edwards was dismissed going for the big hit the ball went straight to Bland which he caught and Edwards was out for 81.

Next ball, C.Bradley swinged and missed, and as Morecambe went up for the lbw the ball went to third man, which caused confusion between the batters. Woods was already halfway down the wicket, leaving a throw straight into the bowler Dixon as he took off the bails leaving Bradley run out, sending Morecambe into celebration.

A brilliant game of cricket as Morecambe won by 6 runs, Dixon finished with figures of 4-42 and Rhoda 2-35. 

Morecambe’s ninth straight win sees their lead increase to 31 points. Next week it’s another away trip as Morecambe face Westgate on Saturday, with a 1pm start.