EARLESTOWN made an encouraging start to the cricket season despite defeat in a difficult tie at Skelmersdale.
Dave Ashton and John Allan opened the batting and got Earlestown off to a quickfire 25 before the loss of two wickets.
Marc Melling and Paul Harrison steadied the ship but wickets continued to fall, and at 97 for 8 Skelmersdale began to take control.
However, the much-improved Carl Allen and John Barron had other ideas. They saw the innings through the 50 overs, allowing Earlestown to finish on 127 for 8. Allen's 40 not out was supported by a resilient Barron at the other end.
The start of the Skelmersdale innings saw the pace of Shaun Bridgett causing all sorts of problems without any success, and then Andy Maclaren struck and Skelmersdale found themselves at 12 for 1.
The home side progressed to 75 without any further losses until the arrival of Todd Prescho, who produced a devastating spell of swing bowling to take 4 for 24 and put Earlestown back in the match.
Barron and Maclaren took a wicket each but the home side made it to 128 with three wickets to spare.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article