One more win could be enough

Saturday's 111-run win against Hampshire in Southampton was enough to drag them out of the relegation zone - with an eight-point cushion over both Hampshire and Somerset after the south coast county were docked eight points for preparing an unfit pitch.

It was Lancashire's third win of the season - and no team has been relegated with four in the two previous years of two-division Championship cricket.

But skipper Warren Hegg refused to set any victory targets.

"The only target we have set ourselves is to win every game we play," insisted the wicket keeper.

Lancashire still have seven games left, almost half of the season, although they now have another frustrating week out of action before two National League games against Gloucestershire and Hampshire, then the Championship

return against Hampshire starting at Old Trafford on Thursday week.

"It is a bit unfortunate because we've played some good cricket over the last fortnight," added Hegg.

"But it means we can recharge our batteries and go to Gloucester next Saturday eager and raring to go."

That should also give Peter Martin time to recover from the back problem which kept him out at Southampton, and made Lancashire's win even more pleasing for Hegg.

"To win without your senior seamer is a very positive point for us," he enthused.

"Digger would have been great for us on that wicket but the other lads stepped up and did superbly."

James Anderson collected another three wickets in the second innings to complete match figures of nine for 50, but John Wood was the Saturday hero with four for 17 - his best Championship figures since joining Lancashire

from Durham last year.

"We're delighted for Woody because he's been bowling well all season and he was due good figures like that," said Hegg.

Gary Keedy also chipped in with two for 22, including the crucial wicket of Neil Johnson stumped by Hegg, and that was after he made a very handy 16 not out in Lancashire's second innings.

Alec Swann's 66 in the first innings, easily the top score of the match, also proved invaluable with Neil Fairbrother, Glen Chapple and Hegg himself adding priceless runs in the second to produce arguably Lancashire's most

important result of the season.

As Hegg said as Lancashire's bus headed north on Saturday evening: "It's a good feeling - a fantastic win."