IT WAS a tale of two professionals as both Morecambe and Lancaster made satisfactory starts to the new cricket season.

Morecambe made a winning start to the Bay Northern Premier League campaign on Saturday against Preston.

The Woodhill Road side put in strong batting and bowling performances for a nine-wicket victory.

New professional Ramesh Powar made an instant impression as Preston batted first, taking five wickets for just 23 runs.

Not to be outdone, Phil Stephens took four for 37 as Morecambe bowled out their visitors for 109, with Oliver Clayson's 20 the highest total from a Preston batsman.

The target looked relatively straightforward, but the ease with which Morecambe reached their victory was remarkable.

Only opener Phil Dennison, in his first game since joining from Lancaster, caught Anyon, bowled Paresh for seven, lost his wicket.

Mark Woodhead ended with an unbeaten 56 while the talented Powar showed his skills with the bat, finishing on an unbeaten 30 as Morecambe completed a nine-wicket victory.

Lancaster, meanwhile, drew their debut game against St Annes at Lune Road, taking eight points to the visitors' two.

Lancaster were put in to bat and performed creditably, with opener Craig Atkinson making a quick fire 51.

Hagen and Phillips both went cheaply before new professional Renier Munnick came to the crease.

While Atkinson eventually went, caught by Cotton off the bowling of Baldwin, Munnik kept on batting, making an unbeaten 108, more than half of Lancaster's total of 206 for seven.

Munnik also made an impact with ball in hand as Lancaster came close to pulling off an impressive victory.

St Annes ended the game clinging on at 132 for nine, with an unbeaten 29 from skipper Sean Bickerdale enough to give them a share of the spoils.

This weekend sees both sides on their travels, with Lancaster going to Darwen and Morecambe heading for Leyland Motors.