FLEETWOOD batted first and, in the face of some very ordinary bowling by the Blackpool attack, made 205-4 in their 40 overs.

In reply Blackpool never looked as though they wanted to win and ambled aimlessly to 131 all out, many of the runs coming when Fleetwood were in generous mood towards the close of the innings. An advertisement for Northern League cricket of any kind it certainly was not.

Fleetwood's innings got off to a good start as Nick Coultas hit quick runs. He eventually made 38 before, head in the air, he was bowled.

Tony Buschini then made 66 not out and David Latus had scored 50 when he was out to the final ball of the innings. Even at that point it seemed that Fleetwood's 205-4 would be enough for them to be hosting the final against Lancaster next Sunday. And so it proved as Blackpool, from the very start, made absolutely no discernible effort to get the required runs. Skipper Mark Griffiths sadly led by example as he occupied the crease for the majority of the innings to make a painfully slow 41.

No-one else contributed very many and it was only some "give-me" bowling by Fleetwood in the later stages that allowed the scoreline to look more realistic.

Fittingly, in a Latus Cup tie, the final two wickets that came in two balls were taken by David Latus who became the second Fleetwood bowler in two days to finish an innings with two-in-two. Richard Thomas had done so the day before against Morecambe.

As one senior Fleetwood player said on his return to the pavilion: "I've never played in such a dreadful game". And the few spectators that remained to the end have probably never watched a worse one either. If they have, they will definitely not be returning for more of the same fare.

The final, next Sunday, will feature the top two clubs in Division Two and, thankfully and hopefully, a far better game is in prospect.

RESULT: Fleetwood 2nd XI 205-4 Blackpool 2nd XI 131 all out