Bolton-le-Sands vs Moor Hospital, 24th April 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 121-5 vs Moor Hospital 120-8
Sands won by 5 wkts
An unusually warm April Saturday greeted the start of the new season as Sands defeated visitors Moor Hospital by five wickets at Main Road.
Sands
skipper Trevor White, now in his third term of office, won the toss and sent
Moor into bat on a typical early season sands wicket. Three early wickets fell
for just five runs, as Robert Clarkson opened up with two wickets and five
consecutive maidens. However, the visitors showed some steely determination,
Alan Beck with 30 and Steve Emery with 19 bringing Moor back into the game, but
wickets fell steadily and it took a ninth wicket partnership of 39 between Holt
(21no) and Wilkinson (25no) to ensure that three figures were reached. Indeed
Wilkinson looked more a middle order batsmen as he hit two sixes in a breezy
knock. Clarkson finished with exemplary figures of 3-18 off fourteen overs for
the home side, James Vipond 2-32, Peter Morgan 1-39 and Alan Cole
1-28.
Moor continued their revival in the second innings as Sands lost
both openers with only 21 on the board, Andy Young taking a reaction catch at
first slip to dismiss Loxam. However a third wicket partnership of 64 between
Cole and Ireland set Sands up for victory, and despite the loss of three wickets
including Ireland for 29, Cole calmly saw his side past the winning post, ending
with 60 not out. Armistead took the first two wickets at a cost of 24, and Young
two late wickets for 17.
Kirkby Lonsdale vs Bolton-le-Sands, 1st May 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Kirkby Lonsdale 145-2, Bolton-le-Sands 144
Kirkby won by 8 wkts
Kirkby's Tom Blanchard continued his fine start to the season with another powerful display of hitting on Saturday as Sands left Lunefield Park empty handed.
League historian John Glaister predicted that the home side would be a force to be reckoned with in 2004 and not without good reason. Sands are no pushovers but were overwhelmed after setting what would normally be a challenging total. After being inserted on a drying wicket, Alan Cole was the mainstay of Sands innings, scoring 43 after both openers fell cheaply. Ireland (25) and Clarkson (15) provided good support, but from 109-3, the visitors stumbled to 113-7, James Vipond hitting two sixes at the death as Sands were all out in the final over. The Troughton brothers Darren (5-23) and Steve (3-33) took the lion's share of the wickets, with Barry Smith (1-8) the pick of the attack.
Kirkby skipper Shaw (25) and veteran Kettlewell (25) put on 56 for the first wicket in 18 overs, but any hopes Sands had of getting back into the game evaporated as Blanchard hammered nine enormous sixes in a whirlwind knock of 73 not out, Smith contributing just 7 in a partnership of 87. Clarkson was only the only bowler to keep Blanchard quiet but was unable to prevent the winning six sailing out of the ground.
Westgate A vs Bolton-le-Sands, 4th May 2004
Oxbridge Cup Round 1
Westgate A 108-6, Bolton-le-Sands 104-6
Westgate A won by 4 wkts
Not a memorable game this one so decided not to do a full match report. Little to say except we didn't bat particularly well and when we did have a glimmer of hope when they were struggling in their innings we didn't have the bowling to finish them off. Disappointing when you think we were close to reaching the semi's last year, and won the competition in 1990.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Coniston, 8th May 2004
Westmorland Cricket League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 169, Coniston 93-9
Winning draw to Sands
Coniston's last pair held out for the final five overs as once again they frustrated Sands' bowlers on a grey day at Main Road.
The last four
league meetings between these sides have all ended with Sands unable to finish
the match off and when Trevor White lost the toss the home side knew they would
have to work hard to earn the ten points on offer. And once again they had Alan
Cole to thank with the bat, as he scored 72 off 98 balls before depositing a
full toss into fine leg's hands. Robert Clarkson made a run a ball 33, and there
were some mini-cameos from Millatt, Vipond and Kellett as the home side were all
out in the 44th over. Martin Fryer spearheaded the Coniston attack with 3-31,
Rouse, Andy Knipe and Townsley each taking two wickets.
Two early wickets
for Vipond, Knipe caught behind off a perfect leg cutter and Bishop bowled saw
Coniston on the back foot but the South African Tricker (35) played watchfully
before miscuing a pull to deep midwicket. Vipond bowled beautifully throughout
and with Clarkson and Cole chipping in with wickets at the other end, Sands were
on course for victory but youngster Fletcher and the slightly older Belcher
denied the home side at the death. Vipond finished with 4-24 off 18 overs, but
deserved more, beating the bat regularly on the slow pitch. Clarkson took 2-17,
Cole 3-14.
Cartmel vs Bolton-le-Sands, 15th May 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Cartmel 100-4, Bolton-le-Sands 99
Cartmel won by 6 wkts
Cartmel Park may be the local haven for racing fans but any spectators turning up on Saturday would have been disappointed to witness a one-horse race.
Two
away games and two defeats for Sands as their upper order batting failed to make
an impact on a two paced track against the home side. David Wilson was the local
hero, removing five of the top six as they fell to 36-6 and it needed a gutsy
knock from Martin Dyson (31no) to keep Sands in the game, Paul Kellett (14) and
Mike Wolfenden (14) assisting in the recovery. Wilson finished with 5-25 from 13
overs, youngster McAvoy taking 2-17 to stall Sands in the later
stages.
Cartmel's two wins this season have both been by one wicket and
the nerves were in evidence again as they slipped to 24-3, Alan Cole taking two
wickets in his first three overs. But just when it seemed the game would become
a cat and mouse affair, Mike Taylor and Tom Harvey opened their shoulders and
scored seventy runs from the next fifteen overs. Taylor fell for 45 with six
runs required but skipper Harvey remained unbeaten on 22 to seal the points for
his side. Cole took 2-15, Peter Morgan 2-32.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Westgate A, 22nd May 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 116-8, Westgate A 148-8
Winning draw to Westgate A
Westgate's second string gained the lion's share of the points against a disappointing Sands on another sunny afternoon at Main Road.
Put into
bat, the visitors got off to a flier through Horne (43) and Gani (17), 45 runs
coming off the first eight overs, the fast outfield rewarding several well timed
drives. Clarkson removed Gani lbw with a big incutter, and Morgan struck a
double blow, Horne caught by White and Patel (10) to a excellent one handed
catch by Huckle as the runs dried up. Turton (25) lifted the scoring rate
briefly, before falling to another good catch by Dyson, but some quick running
and late boundaries saw the score fall just shy of 150. Morgan was the pick of
the attack, taking 5-44 of 13 overs, whilst took Clarkson 1-30 and Huckle 1-49.
Cole conceded just 15 runs off his 10 overs.
Sands began poorly falling
to 9-3 as Gani took two catches at first slip. Ireland (30) led a charmed life
before Patel held a sharp return chance and when Wolfenden skied to midwicket
Sands were in dire straits at 47-6. Rob Clarkson blunted the visitors attack as
he and Dyson put on 38 from the next 26 overs. Two further wickets gave Westgate
hope of victory but Clarkson remained unbowed, smashing a huge six onto the A6
to help salvage a bonus point and reaching his half century to finish on 55 not
out. Patel bowled unchanged throughout taking 4-54 off 22 testing overs, Gani
took 3-29 from 16 and Shillitoe 1-24.
Ingleton vs Bolton-le-Sands, 29th May 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Ingleton 178-5, Bolton-le-Sands 173
Ingleton won by 5 runs
Sands were cruelly denied at the death on Saturday, losing their last five wickets for ten runs as Ingleton snatched victory after an epic encounter.
Such a finish had seemed unlikely earlier on, the start
delayed after the covers had leaked at one end of the pitch. Sands won the toss
and elected to field, and James Vipond was rewarded for a pacy spell by
dismissing Ogden for 6. Ingleton counter attacked but lost further wickets,
Graham Kellett and Gowland both caught in the deep. Ian Kellett then put the
home side in charge with an innings of 75, mixing fresh air shots with thick
edges and meaty blows. Brother Alan contributed 20 not out, and Murray hit 22
not out. Peter Morgan took 2-51, Rob Clarkson 1-28, and Vipond was once again
unlucky to finish with 1-44.
Sands struggled initially, Kellett bowling
both Loxam and Cole and Pendry using the bounce in the wicket to make life hard
work for the batsmen. Indeed the home fielders were intensely vocal as the ball
regularly beat the bat, but the silence became deafening when Sands reached
122-2. Jon Millatt took 21 off one Pendry over whilst scoring 49 off 51 balls
and Ireland was more restrained with 42 off 75 balls, the pair putting on 90 for
the third wicket. Both fell to Kellett in the same over but Vipond hit a rapid
27 to keep Sands on course. However with just six required for victory Pendry
took the last three wickets in five balls to secure maximum points for the home
side. Kellett finished with 6-53 from 18 overs, Pendry 4-57.
Ambleside vs Bolton-le-Sands, 5th June 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Ambleside 86, Bolton-le-Sands 109-9
Sands won by 23 runs
Sands finally ended their barren run away from home at the scenic Rydal ground on Saturday, running out winners by 23 runs.
Inserted on a two paced
wicket which made strokeplay difficult, the visitors top order once again failed
as Robin Dean took three early wickets. From the depths of 35-5, Paul Kellett
(25) instigated a recovery, launching a six over long on and continued by Graeme
Beaumont (19) with an expertly placed edge through the slips for four. Runs were
hard to come by but the century mark was reached in the 43rd over. Dean was the
most successful home bowler with 4-24, well supported by Edwards with
3-29.
Ambleside's innings started just as badly at 17-3, both Steve
Huckle and Tony Pennington using the variable bounce to maximum effect. Long
(22) and Gledhill threatened briefly but Cole took over from Huckle and in
tandem with Pennington, worked their way through the home batting. The
Australian Edwards (29no) provided the last obstacle but ran out of partners,
the innings ending in the 40th over. The ageless Pennington bowled immaculately
throughout taking 6-32, Alan Cole 3-33 and Huckle 1-15.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Warton, 6th June 2004
Hackney & Leigh Trophy Round 2
Bolton-le-Sands 165-6, Warton 166-6
Warton won by 4 wkts
Title challengers Warton scrambled into the last eight after overcoming a determined Sands side on a humid Sunday afternoon.
Sands stand in skipper
Dave Loxam won the toss and elected to bat first. The home side put their recent
batting woes behind them reaching 67-1 after 10 overs and despite Ireland
running himself out for 27, Alan Cole (39) and Rob Clarkson (30) played
intelligently putting on 53 for the fourth wicket to leave Sands on 133-3 with
five overs remaining. However four wickets fell in the space of two overs but
Mike Wolfenden (20) hit two sixes off the penultimate over as Sands ended on
165-6. Graham Crowther was the most impressive Warton bowler with 3-25, skipper
Ideson taking 2-36.
Clarkson and Morgan then gave Sands the perfect
start, dismissing Barrow and Jones for ducks, and Clarkson removed Crowther's
middle stump to leave Warton reeling on 20-3. Father and son Ricky (10) and Ryan
Nelson (43) put on 42 but Ireland dismissed both in his first two overs and
followed up by trapping Ideson lbw. With nine overs left the visitors required
83, the Sands supporters scenting an upset. However recent recruit Mark Bradley
was the Warton hero, as he smashed six sixes in a whirlwind knock of 54 off just
35 balls, aided by David Robinson with 28 off 41 balls, the winning runs knocked
off with nine balls remaining. Ireland took 3-25 off his allotted five overs,
Rob Clarkson 2-15 and Peter Morgan 1-33.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Trimpell, 12th June 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 114-8, Trimpell 111
Sands won by 2 wkts
A quick glance at the scores would indicate that this match was played on an average surface, but in truth neither side would be happy their batting displays on what was basically a good batting track.
Losing the toss, the visitors
were sent into bat and reached an 90-3 after just 20 overs. L Beniston (20) and
Peter McDermid (21) hit ealy boundaries and then Greenwood (34) and Cope (27)
put on 45 in six overs for the fourth wicket. However Cope's dismissal to a
smart catch by Wolfenden off Clarkson signalled the start of a rapid collapse,
ending in the 31st over, as Cole took his second wicket. Clarkson finished with
4-22, after conceding 17 off his first two overs, Cole 2-14, Pennington 2-51 and
Huckle 1-21.
Sands top order has not been the most reliable this season
and sure enough the first six wickets fell for 64. Alan Cole ended his recent
lean run with a powerful 55 off 64 balls, including four sixes, and Paul Kellett
was a steadying hand with 15. Both were dismissed in sight of the winning post
giving home skipper White palpitations, but Wolfenden calmy despatched the final
boundary settle the nerves. Steve Beniston bowled tirelessly throughout for
Trimpell, taking 3-48, Rob Cope 3-49, and Mark Clement 2-13.
Carnforth A vs Bolton-le-Sands, 13th June 2004
Milnthorpe Taxis Trophy Round 1
Carnforth A 161-6, Bolton-le-Sands 157
Carnforth A won by 4 wkts
A vocal (ie never shut up all afternoon) Carnforth second string progressed to a second round meeting with either Cartmel or Kirkby Lonsdale after a final over win against Sands on Sunday.
Sands lower order played the major role with the bat, Martin
Dyson (30) and Paul Kellett (23) again combining well after the visitors fell to
53-5. Peter Morgan (27) helped Dyson add 37 for the ninth wicket until Dyson was
run out and then hit two sixes in the last over as Sands made a respectable
total on a wicket of indifferent bounce. Walker and the Baxendale brothers each
took two wickets.
Will Benson anchored Carnforth's reply with 39 off 70
balls, paving the way for Teasdale (210, Walker (30 off 22 balls) and Moore
(20no) to overtake Sands score off the third ball in the last over. Clarkson and
Peter Morgan both bowled excellently with 1-19 and 1-10 off their five overs,
but Carnforth's last 60 runs came off just five overs.
Burneside A vs Bolton-le-Sands, 19th June 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Burneside A 141-9, Bolton-le-Sands 142-3
Sands won by 7 wkts
After an indifferent start to the season Sands won their third game on the bounce on Saturday, dodging the showers to win by seven wickets at Ellergreen Park.
The home side were inserted and made slow early progress, Halsall (46) and Duckett (32) opening with a stand of 65 from 24 overs. Peter Morgan dismissed both but Green and Christie played the odd forcing shot as Burneside attempted to up the run rate. However wickets fell quickly in the closing overs, as Morgan (5-49) took his second five-for of the season, and three run outs left the home side perhaps disappointed with the final score of 141-9. Cole took 1-29 whilst Clarkson and Huckle both bowled accurate opening spells, unluckily finishing wicketless.
Rain interruptions left Sands with 37 overs to force victory and with a suspect top order, a draw looked the likely result. However a third wicket stand of 84 between Dave Loxam (54no) and Matthew Ireland (47) effectively decided the match. Loxam anchored the Sands innings, batting right through in scoring his second half century for the club, whilst Ireland hit two sixes and five fours in a rapid knock. Victory was achieved with just nine balls to spare as Rob Clarkson somehow fended off a chest high full toss for a scrambled single on the leg side.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Trimpell, 27th June 2004
Tower Shield Round 2
Bolton-le-Sands 248-7, Trimpell 176
Sands won by 72 runs
In contrast to the low scoring league a fortnight earlier, there were runs aplenty on Sunday as Sands booked a semi-final tie at Carnforth.
Skipper Trevor White elected to bat first on winning the toss and led by example, rattling up a splendid 89. In tandem with Dave Loxam (42) the openers took advantage of anything loose. White was particularly severe on anything pitched up and looked set for a century but was trapped lbw by Beniston just eleven runs short. Useful cameos from James Loxam (24) and Robert Clarkson (19) added to the visitors woes, who also conceded 45 in extras, including 20 wides.
Trimpell needed a fast start and Lee Beniston and Peter McDermid obliged with 58 from the first ten overs. However four wickets fell for just seventeen runs as Morgan dismissed McDermid and Greenwood in the same over, and Cole had both Beniston and Cope well stumped by Wolfenden. If Sands thought they were home and dry, Patel (47 from 43 balls) and Metcalfe (24) made them think again, the former hitting three sixes over mid wicket as they put on 73 for the fifth wicket. With exactly 100 needed from twelve overs it was game on, but Patel edged to the keeper off Ireland and Clarkson cleaned up the tail, taking 4-11 as the innings ended in the 35th over.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Carnforth A, 3rd July 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 187-5 dec, Carnforth A 86
Sands won by 101 runs
Sands continued their improved form with a comprehensive victory over neighbours Carnforth on Saturday at Main Road.
Despite the morning's showers, the drainage system and covers did their job and play began on time. The home side were inserted but White and Cole opened up with 54 for the first wicket in fifteen overs. White fell for 17 but Cole carried on, reaching his half century from 65 balls as Loxam and Ireland perished at the other end. Cole and Clarkson then entertained the small crowd with a partnership of 78 from eleven overs as Cole fell just ten short of what would have been a deserved century, hitting in all two sixes and thirteen fours. Clarkson hit a whirlwind 49 with three sixes and six fours as Sands declared after 38 overs. Gary Baxendale took 4-61 for the visitors, Gothard 1-40.
Needing 188 to win Carnforth were rocked by the dismissals of key batsmen Benson and Preston by Steve Huckle in the first five overs and despite 28 from young M Baxendale, were always on the back foot. From 42-2 they lost eight wickets for 44 runs, Rob Clarkson following up his batting stint with a spell of three wickets for just one run from six overs, as the pitch became more uneven late on. Tim Millatt, slowly overcoming jet-lag took 3-34, and Huckle took 2-12 from nine impressive overs.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Ingleton, 17th July 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 79, Ingleton 164
Ingleton won by 85 runs
Sands recent run of wins came to an abrupt end on Saturday as Ingleton kept up
the pressure on leaders Kirkby with an emphatic 85 run victory.
Put into bat on a damp track the visitors lost Heald in the second over but
Johnson (29) and Ogden (14) put on 34 for the second wicket. However both fell
to excellent catchges by Dyson and James Loxam and at 48-4 and short of batting
the innings was in the balance. Solid middle order contributions from Gowland
(25), Alan Kellett (38) and Rowe (24) turned the tables and Sands found
themselves unable to polish off the innings before a healthy score was reached.
Tim Millatt recorded his maiden five-for with 5-53 and Rob Clarkson bowled well
taking 2-32 from 17 overs.
Had Alan Hansen watched Sands reply,
even he would have been lost for adjectives to describe a paltry total of 79
all out from just 24 overs. Don Pendry (7-40) and Alan Kellett (3-33) combined
well to leave Sands in the mire at 19-4 and despite 26 from White and 18 from
Clarkson, the innings was a shambles with five batsmen bowled and four lbw.
Westgate A vs Bolton-le-Sands, 24th July 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Westgate A 156-6, Bolton-le-Sands 155
Westgate A won by 4 wkts
Westgate dodged the showers and the biting wind on Saturday defeating Sands by four wickets with just ten balls to spare.
After winning the
toss, the visitors decided to bat, but a quick reactions by Murphy saw Dave
Loxam stumped with just a single on the board. White fell at 27, but Clarkson
(51) and Ireland (39) put on 77 for the third wicket. Clarkson hit three
glorious straight sixes, and at 104-2 with sixteen overs left a score of 170
plus looked likely. However Ireland top edged a pull to sqare leg and suddenly
three wickets fell in four overs. Saeed Patel recovered well after some early
punishment and took 5-40 as Sands were bowled out in the final over, Paul
Kellett not out on 17. Rob Shilitoe took 3-30.
With the odd
ball keeping low, Westgate's batsmen needed to play watchfully and Fisher and
Gani opened up with a partnership of 38, before Clarkson trapped Gani lbw with
one that nipped back. Patel joined Fisher and taking advantage of some poor
fielding played the visitors out of the game withe some daredevil running and
punishing of the loose ball. With disruptions for rain and the loss of two overs
Patel fell trying to finish the match, bowled by Tony Pennington. Four more
wickets fell before victory was achieved but Fisher remained unbeaten on 76 not
out to see his side through to the finish. Pennington bowled a marathon spell of
3-36 off 20 accurate overs for Sands.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Cartmel, 31st July 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 244-5, Cartmel 112-6
Winning draw to Sands
The hottest day of the year produced Sands best batting of the season but they were unable to force victory against an under strength Cartmel side on Saturday.
The home side elected to bat first on a firm but slow pitch and Dave Loxam and Alan Cole put on 61 for the second wicket after White was bowled by Readman for 13. Despite missing the last three weeks, Cole was quickly into his stride and after Loxam fell for 31, added 79 with Ireland (22) for the third wicket. By this time Sands were already set for a big score as the Cartmel attack toiled in the heat. As in the match against Carnforth Cole fell just short of a ton, strangely missing a full toss having hit four sixes and eleven fours in an excellent knock of 92. Rob Clarkson continued his good form with 44no, hitting three sixes as Sands piled on the runs in the final overs. Readman took 2-64 off seventeen overs, the best of the Cartmel bowlers.
Understandably with a weakened side the vistors elected to bat for safety but slipped to 32-3 after sixteen overs, Steve Huckle taking two wickets. Skipper Tom Harvey held up the home side with a solid knock of 43 well supported by Dave Unsworth who remained unbeaten at the end on 31. Two wickets from successive balls and the needless run out of Seef with three overs left Sands needing four wickets for victory but Unsworth held firm. Huckle finished with 4-29 from thirteen overs.
Coniston vs Bolton-le-Sands, 7th August 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Coniston 103, Bolton-le-Sands 104-1
Sands won by 9 wkts
The sequence of drawn matches between these two teams was finally broken as Sands recorded a quickfire victory on another scorching Saturday afternoon.
Coniston decided to bat first on their own track but the faith shown in their batsmen by the captain failed to translate itself into runs as they were bowled out in the final over for 103. They started well, McGinley hitting 26 early doors and reaching 60-2 after 25 overs. But the introduction of Alan Cole to the attack saw four wickets fall in just five overs and they never recovered. Peter Morgan had bowled a good opening spell, reeling off 14 straight overs for 1-21, and Cole finished with figures of 5-29, having had 4-2 after his first six overs. Old made 20 and Tyson hit a six late on but Millatt ran out Rouse in the final over to end the innings, Sands having bowled 44.1 overs in just under two hours.
The pitch had played slowly throughout the home innings but this proved no problem for the visiting batsmen as the runs were knocked off in the 25th over. Dave Loxam led the way with an unbeaten 62 which included three sixes and five fours. Together with Trevor White (30) the openers put on 71 for the first wicket, before White played on to Old. Coniston did have some opportunities to take wickets but managed to fluff several chances towards the end of the innings with Bassent probably still replaying in his mind the sitter he dropped off Loxam at gully. So 10 points to Sands and an half past five finish to boot.
Carnforth vs Bolton-le-Sands, 8th August 2004
Tower Shield Semi-Final
Carnforth 62, Bolton-le-Sands 142-8
Sands won by 80 runs
Sands reached their first cup final for ten years on Sunday defeating Carnforth by 80 runs thanks to a superb spell of bowling by Rob Clarkson and a valuable partnership between Alan Cole and Martin Dyson.
Having elected to bat first, the visitors reached the half way mark of 20 overs with the score at 40-5, Parker and Gary Baxendale taking two wickets each. John Denwood slowed the scoring rate even further conceding just six runs from his eight overs as Cole and Dyson were forced to defend to prevent the fall of further wickets. Patience is a virtue however and the runs started to flow with the change of bowlers. Cole was unlucky to fall, bowled by a shooter for 42, but the pair had put on 65 for the sixth wicket. Dyson decided to take the aerial route, twice hitting Parker out of the ground and Millatt hit 14 at the death. In all 72 runs came from the final ten overs, Dyson ending on 45no. Darren Nelson took 1-12 from eight, Baxendale 2-22, and Parker 3-43.
Clarkson made an early breakthrough in Carnforth's reply, trapping Nelson lbw for 11. However the dismissal of Moore, also lbw was the first of six wickets to fall in just seven overs as Clarkson took 5-11 in his eight overs, reward for bowling fast and straight as the pitch began to deteriorate. Tony Pennington, ironically on the opposing side the last time Sands contested a cup final, was the perfect foil with 1-15 as the home side slumped to 34-7. Peter Morgan took over from Clarkson and took 2-6, opener Michael Baxendale the ninth wicket to fall for a patient 19. The end came in the 28th over, as the ever darkening skies threatened rain.
Sands will now play the winners of Westgate and Morecambe in the final.
Carnforth A vs Bolton-le-Sands, 14th August 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Carnforth A 140, Bolton-le-Sands 188-5
Sands won by 48 runs
Shorn of several regular bowlers, Sands put in an excellent team performance to defeat near neighbours Carnforth, who at one stage were eyeing a much needed victory.
The visitors were inserted on a slowish wicket and thanks to two solid partnerships, reached a formidable 188-5. Trevor White (42) and Matthew Ireland (39) put on 48 for the third wicket before both fell to M Baxendale, and the second, an invaluable stand of 68 off the last eleven overs between James Loxam (43no) and Paul Kellett (39no). Kellett hit three sixes, one of which had the spectators running for cover in front of the pavilion. The home side will rue several chances that went begging, with White and James Loxam both being reprieved early on. Baxendale was the most successful bowler with 2-24.
The loss of two wickets in Millatt's opening over failed to dishearten Carnforth, as Barnfield (34) and Russell (26) counter-attacked in style, the pair putting on 43 in twelve overs. Both fell to Pennington but Mick Preston and Neil Darby kept the momentum going, and the home side were well placed with 67 required off fifteen overs and six wickets in hand. However Darby was bowled by Cole and Ireland dismissed both Potter and Teasdale as the match turned to the visitors. When Preston lofted a skier to White at long off to fall for 34, the end was in sight, and the final wicket was a run out in the 40th over. All Sands bowlers took wickets, Pennington 2-57, Cole 3-21, Millatt 2-41 and Ireland 2-10.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Burneside A, 21st August 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 211-8, Burneside A 133-9
Winning draw to Sands
After the torrential rain, which had been present all week, the toss would be vital to the outcome of this match and Burneside having duly called correctly had no hesitation in inserting Sands on a wet pitch.
From that point on the visitors toiled, not helped by a couple of spilled catches, as the home batsmen piled on the runs. Sands evergreen skipper Trevor White led the charge with a hard-hitting innings, featuring in stands of 40 for the 1st wicket with David Loxam (21), 50 for the 3rd wicket with Matthew Ireland (31) and 55 for the 4th wicket with Rob Clarkson (13). White eventually fell for a well-struck 82 in the 38th over when a ton seemed to be beckoning. Mike Wolfenden (14no) launched two big sixes at the death to ensure Sands topped the 200 mark.
The visiting bowlers had all taken a mauling, the most successful being Buxton with 4 for 50 from 9 overs.
Burneside soon found trouble as they embarked on their reply slipping to 32 for 3. The scoring rate had been just as brisk as Sands however and at this stage only 10 overs of the innings had been bowled. A stand of 60 for the 4th wicket between Ryan Airey (49) and Green (28) plus a stand of 34 for the 5th wicket between Airey and Bigland (16) pointed Burneside towards a much needed win in their relegation fight.
The introduction of Alan Cole (3 for 12) into the fray ripped the heart out of the Burneside charge and it then became a case of survival. Tony Pennington belied his years bowling a marathon 20 over stint and returned figures of 4 for 68. Rob Clarkson overcame his jet lag to claim 2 for 22.
The Result a draw - Sands 7 points, Burneside 1 point, but it will be Sands who will rue dropped catches. Had they held their chances Burneside would have been well beaten.
(Thanks to my ghostwriter for this report)
Bolton-le-Sands vs Ambleside, 28th August 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 187-7, Ambleside 82
Sands won by 105 runs
The continued rain made for more damp conditions on Saturday and once again Sands lost the toss and were inserted on a wet track.
Ambleside's opening attack of Edwards and Spencer started well, restricting the home side to just 39 runs from the first twenty overs. However, a powerful knock of 65 from Matthew Ireland, which included six sixes, led the charge later in the innings as 112 runs came from the last fifteen overs. Paul Kellett, with a short but brutal innings of 28 kept up the good work and James Loxam added an unbeaten 21. Ireland and Clarkson (11) put on 60 for the fourth wicket and Kellett and Loxam 43 for the seventh wicket. Spencer finished with 4-82 from 22 overs and Edwards bowled better than his figures of 1-42 would suggest.
Ambleside's reply never got out of first gear as Tony Pennington took 5-22 to leave the visitors dead and buried at 39-6. Only Edwards looked confident. making a crisp 22 before Clarkson produced the perfect yorker to remove middle stump. Skipper Spencer (32) took some retribution for the punishment he had received during Sands' innings with four sixes, but this only delayed the inevitable and Tim Millatt took three late wickets as the home side won in the 33rd over. One feature of Sands play was their catching, even captain White making it look easy, and this win takes them back up to third place in the table.
Bolton-le-Sands vs Kirkby Lonsdale, 30th August 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Bolton-le-Sands 228-4, Kirkby Lonsdale 265-6
Winning draw to Kirkby Lonsdale
Newly crowned Division 2 champions Kirkby held off a spirited Sands fightback on
Monday as spectators were treated to a run spree par excellence.
Having
been asked to bat first, Kirkby played confidently from the start, reaching 50
after fourteen overs and passing 100 at the halfway mark. Skipper Richard Shaw
(82) was the backbone of the innings and watched on from the other end as the
fireworks were started first by Spencer Storey with 46 and then a blistering
knock of 91 from Darren Troughton. Both batsmen cleared the boundary with
regularity, Storey hitting three successive sixes and Troughton causing several
delays for lost balls with eleven sixes. The last ten overs produced 104 runs,
and Troughton unluckily fell short of a century when bowled round his legs, he
and Shaw having put on 128 for the fourth wicket. Robert Clarkson took 3-38 from
thirteen overs, the best of the Sands bowlers.
Not be outdone Dave Loxam
and Trevor White opened up with 50 from fourteen overs for the home side. Loxam
and Ireland then put on 73 from the next fourteen before Loxam was bowled by
Smith for a well worked 65. With the run chase gathering momentum Kirkby were on
the back foot, Sands requiring 111 from the last thirteen overs. However Smith
bowled Ireland for 60 and with the light fading the required rate proved to
great. Alan Cole (39no) and Paul Kellett (26) bravely kept the home side in the
hunt but in the end had to settle for two bonus points. Smith finished with 4-61
from eighteen overs, a solid effort in a match dominated by the bat.
Trimpell vs Bolton-le-Sands, 4th September 2004
Westmorland League Division 2
Trimpell 127-6, Bolton-le-Sands 224-8
Winning draw to Sands
Trimpell skipper Mark Clement won the toss and inserted visitors Sands into bat on a slow wicket at Out Moss Lane.
Following last week's gallant run chase against Kirkby, Sands again passed 200 but in contrasting style, wickets falling regularly amongst some extravagant strokeplay. Matthew Ireland top scored with a somewhat fortuitous 80, given several lives by the Trimpell fielders, and Alan Cole was his usual consistent self making 42. Rob Clarkson contributed 25, and Tim Millatt made 10 in his final game for the club. Robert Cope was the home side's best bowler taking 5-71 from eighteen overs.
In reply Trimpell started slowly, Cockburn (24) and McDermid (23) putting on 60 in twenty five overs. Despite 46 not out from Steve Pemberton, late wickets scuppered any hopes of bonus points, and the innings petered out in the final few overs. Cole took 3-47 for Sands and Rob Clarkson bowled an excellent fifteen overs to finish with the scant reward of 1-21. Keeper Mike Wolfenden provided the moment of the afternoon, as Cole tempted Edwards yards down the track, the ball was dropped but rebounded onto the stumps much to the relief of bowler and fielders.
Westgate vs Bolton-le-Sands, 18th September 2004
Tower Shield Final, Bare CC
Westgate 204-2, Bolton-le-Sands 139-9
Westgate won by 65 runs
Westgate retained the Tower Shield, defeating local rivals Sands at Cross Hill Park, nine years after the competition was last held.
After winning the toss, Sands invited the holders to bat on a wicket made damp by the week's and morning's rain. Westgate made a positive if not flying start as Horne and Parkinson put on 47 in thirteen overs. Tony Pennington bowled a tight opening spell, conceding just 28 off his eight overs, but it was Peter Morgan who made the first breakthrough, as Horne played on for 27. New batsman Peter Wilson made the most of an early let off, dropped after mistiming a pull to mid wicket and gradually put the pressure on the fielding side with some sensible batting. In tandem with Parkinson, the pair dominated the bowling in a stand of 86, before Parkinson was bowled through the gate by Alan Cole. Now joined by another big hitter, Danny Wilkinson, the score rocketed with 79 coming from the last eight overs. Wilson reached his century with a straight six in the last over as his side passed the 200 mark. Sands never gave up in the face of the onslaught, Morgan finishing with 1-27 from eight and James Loxam unluckily missing a sharp chance of Wilson that would have been a remarkable catch had it stuck.
Faced with an uphill task, Sands shrugged off the early loss of White, as Dave Loxam continued his recent good form and put on 73 for the second wicket with Cole. Both were watchful against the tight Westgate bowling, but Loxam broke the shackles with a six into the trees. Indeed they had matched Westgate's run rate after 22 overs but three quick wickets put paid to any hopes of victory. Andy Hill dismissed Cole for 22 and bowled Loxam for 40, and Ireland was bowled by Wilson for 3. Despite 16no from James Loxam and 13 from Paul Kellett the innings petered out, but Morgan hit a late six as the overs ran out. Hill took three wickets off six expensive overs, Wilson and Saeed Patel two victims each.
Chairman of the Tower Shield, John Leamon, presented skipper Peter Wilson with the trophy and a deserved Man of the Match award.