Punit Bisht puts league title within Garstang’s grasp

Danny Gilbert’s men are 41 points clear of second-placed Blackpool with just 60 points left to play for.

The Riversiders collected a maximum 15-points haul from their home clash against relegation threatened Lancaster.

After losing early wickets, professional Punit Bisht came to the fore, hitting a fine 87 and he was ably assisted by Martin Crowther’s excellent unbeaten 61 as the hosts closed on 222-9. Liam Moffat took 3-43.

In reply, Joel Anthony Derham took a superb 6-40 as the visitors were bowled out for 140. Eddie Steinson top scored with 37

A wonderful century from Harry Barclay ensured Chorley remain in the hunt for a top-three finish in the Northern League.

Barclay smashed 104 not out off just 103 balls, including 12 boundaries and fives sixes, as Chorley posted a sizeable 258-2.

The innings had been given good impetus by skipper Andrew Holdsworth and Alexander Howarth at the top of the order.

The captain struck a half-century at better than a run a ball while his partner struck 41. They both perished to Mohit Kale, trapped lbw.

Professional Roshen Silva (47 not out) was slightly more watchful.

Penrith were always going to be up against it and despite resistance from Kale (26), Sulosan Thiru (38) and Alister Craig (29) they were dismissed for 117 with Ian Oakes the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-25.

Leyland enjoyed a much-needed win, surprising Fulwood & Broughton, who dropped to third in the table, at Fox Lane.

Andrew Jacques was the star of the show with the ball, taking a superb 6-59 while Iain Critchley (3-55) provided some excellent support as F&B were bowled out for 188. Matthew Smith top scored with 47 and Simon Kerrigan hit 42.

James Rounding was the star performer with the bat. He hit a superb unbeaten 112, including 13 fours and two sixes, to lead Leyland to a superb seven-wicket win.

Vernon Carus’ relegation was confirmed at the weekend as they were beaten by St Annes and Blackpool on Saturday and Sunday respectively.

Lukman Vahaluwala took 6-19 for St Annes as Vernons were bowled out for 93, chasing 132 for victory. Jacob Holland and Ben Thomas had each took four wickets for Vernons.

On Sunday, Vernons failed to three figures once more as they were all out for 99 with Naushad Shafi Shaikh and Jamie Thomson took four wickets apiece at Stanley Park.

Shaikh then struck 40 as the hosts cruised to victory for the loss of three wickets.

Blackpool, meanwhile, were undone by Kendal the previous day. They were bowled out for 121 with Kuldeep Singh taking three wickets.

In reply, Rongsen Jonathan smashed 89 off 66 balls as the visitors cruised to victory.

Longridge’s slump over the second half of the season continued as they were well beaten by Netherfield at Parkside Road.

Thomas Kaber took four wickets as the visitors were dismissed for 101. Tom Turner top scored with 28.

Bradley Earl hit 50 as the home side eased to victory for the loss of four wickets.

Eccleston have put themselves in the driving seat for promotion to the Northern League.

Michael Atkinson’s men moved into second spot in the Moore and Smalley Palace Shield Premier Division at the weekend after a 10-run win over Thornton Cleveleys at Doctors Lane.

They took advantage of Great Eccleston’s loss at leaders Fleetwood.

Knocks of 32 and 30 from Matthew Ashcroft and David Hewson respectively helped Eccleston post 154 all out. Anthony Ellison took 5-40.

Stewart White took 3-19 and there were two wickets each for Thomas Wilkinson and Reece Thomas as Cleveleys were restricted to 144. Daniel Howard top scored with 31, while Jake Holmes hit 30.

Great Ecc are three points behind Eccleston after a five-wicket loss to the leaders at Broadwater.

Joe McMillan hit 34 as the visitors closed on 158-8. Zac Corcoran took 3-49.

In reply, the home side eased to victory thanks to Harry McAleer’s fine 72 not out. Jim Procter took three wickets.

Euxton still have an outside chance of finishing second after they got the better of Preston at Balshaw Park.

Elliot Mackrael took 5-39 and Ulricht Van Duyker chipped-in with 3-34 as Preston were dismissed for 153. Skipper Imran Patel scored top scored with 37 for the visitors. In reply, the hosts cruised to victory for the loss of three wickets.

Daniel Barber hit 30 at the top of the order while Van Duyker and Ben Houghton finished unbeaten on 45 and 47 respectively. Bottom side Croston were denied by the weather at Barrow after posting an imposing 227-6.

Max Harper (69) and captain Adam Sexton (59) enjoyed a fine opening partnership and there was added impetus lower down the order from Matthew Bromley who finished unbeaten on 51.

Sam Henderson took three wickets. In reply, Barrow had been reduced to 42-3 when the match was abandoned.

Penwortham got the better of Kirkham & Wesham after Kriston Yearwood’s superb 84 helped them chased K&W’s total of 177 despite Antony Wilson’s 4-41.

Earlier James Walsh had taken three wickets for Pen.

In the final match of the afternoon, Torrisholme dented Morecambe’s promotion hopes with a 37-run win at Boundary Meadow.