THE U14s Palace Shield Inter League team defeated The Saddleworth League with a fine all-round display.

Electing to bat first Palace Shield posted a formidable 239 for five wickets off their 45 overs.

A solid batting performance from all of the batsmen saw Sam Oldham top score with 77 runs, Ross Bretherton 43 and Taylor Cornall with 31 runs were the main contributors to the total.

S Mirzah with 2 for 41 off 9 overs was the pick of the bowlers for the Saddleworth League.

In reply, the Saddleworth League got off to a slow start and had scored eight for the loss of two wickets after 10 overs (both wickets falling to Cameron Smith).

J Howard batting at four was the main hope to chase down such a big total (having scored a 100 the previous day playing for his club side 1st X1).

Having scored 59 runs he was finally out to a smart low catch by Robbie Sumner off the bowling of Ross Bretherton.

After this, the wickets started to fall at regular intervals with the batsmen having to go for quick runs. G Sale with a cameo innings of 21 was the next highest scorer.

The Saddleworth League were finally bowled out for 154 after 38.2 overs giving the Palace Shield an 85 run victory.

Fine bowling from Cameron Smith 4 for 19 off 9 overs, Ross Bretherton 3 for 20 off 4.2 overs and Sam Oldham 2 for 39 off 9 overs were the wicket takers with the other wicket being a run out.

Ed Moulton also bowled a fine opening spell of 0 for 3 off 6 overs (with 2 of the runs coming from wides).

A good all round team performance.

The next game in the Competition is away to the Manchester and Salford Youth (away) at the end of June.

PALACE SHIELD: Taylor Cornall (Thornton Cleveleys CC and captain), Ross Bretherton (Leyland CC), Zach Christie (Vernon Carus CC), Lewis Fensome (Vernon Carus CC), Ciaran Johnson (Blackpool CC), Alex Mason (Longridge CC), Ben Milnes (Chorley CC), Ed Moulton (Chorley CC), Sam Oldham (Leyland CC), Cameron Smith (Leyland CC), Robbie Sumner (Penwortham CC) and Kurtis Watson (Leyland CC) n Cherry Tree under 11s beat Kirkham and Wesham under 11s in the LCB county cup.

They now go onto the county finals day, playing a semi final first in September. I will keep you posted.

Cherry Tree scored 308 for 3 with Kirkham and Wesham 198 all out.