Tenth straight win extends Morecambe CC’s lead at top of Palace Shield

Morecambe CC made it ten straight wins in the Palace Shield Premier Division after a comfortable victory away at Westgate.

Morecambe won the toss and elected to bat first as they travelled the short distance to Westgate.

It was regular openers Smith and Pearson to begin proceedings and made a solid start through 10 overs. Conroy would make the breakthrough as Pearson was first out as he edged behind on 14. Smith was next to go on 34 and when Creech edged one onto the knee of keeper Walker which popped into the hands of Fisher, Westgate were on top, Morecambe 57-3 off 16 overs.

Briggs came to the crease and immediately accelerated the score as he hit Buchanan for 3 boundaries in an over and hit two sixes from the bowling of Pinnala Don. Briggs would bring up his 50 in style hitting a six as the rain came down and halting play for 15 minutes.

Below: Alex Briggs on his way to scoring 64

Morecambe had gone past 150 and looked to be on for a big score, as the rain stopped 2 overs were lost and it became a 43 over game. Briggs was then dismissed for a blistering 64 off just 37 balls. The boundaries kept on coming for the away side as Dixon hit three in an over before getting stumped for 19.

Rhoda would bring up his 50 in the penultimate over as the score reached 220 and ended well hitting a 6 in the last over to end on 61 not out. Morecambe 226-7 off 43 overs. Zak Buchanan 3-45 and Sam Conroy 2-45 the pick of Westgate’s bowlers.

Below: David Rhoda hit an unbeaten 61

The run chase didn’t start as Westgate would’ve hoped as Fisher was bowled by Lloyd Smith in the third over. It was a tight first 10 overs by Smith and Patel as only 17 had been conceded. Buchanan was caught by Dixon at point off the bowling of Patel for 14.

Hill and overseas batsman Walker got the score moving with boundaries but in Lewis Smiths 2nd over he bowled Hill for 27 and got the important wicket of Walker for 9. In his next over he would get 2 more as Sam Frith was given LBW and Huntington was caught as Westgate slumped to 59-6 at drinks.

Rhoda picked up his first of the day getting Joel Frith for 10. But it would be Lewis Smith to get the final 3 wickets, to take career best figures of 7-36. Westgate fell to 108 all out and Morecambe won by 122 runs.

This Saturday it’s back at home against Kirkham and Wesham. Then on Sunday it’s the Final of the Meyler Cup against Leyland 2nds at Woodhill Lane 1pm start for both games.