ST ANNES moved into second place in Division One after crushing next-to-bottom Lancaster, thanks to a belligerent innings of 83 by Adam Cotton.
It more than made up for him dropping Lancaster pro Gareth Breese before he had scored. Breese went on to make 30 in a second wicket partnership with schoolboy Danny Hagen who was finally dismissed for 70.
Lancaster were eventually bowled out for 232 with St Annes professional Dave Callaghan claiming four wickets for 49 runs from 21 overs.
When St Annes batted it was Callaghan and Joe Davies, with a stand of 76, who seemed to be laying the foundations for victory. But doubts set in when Callaghan was caught for 60 and Davies was bowled for 31 by Breese. Suddenly the Lancaster total seemed a long way off.
But in the space of 47 balls Cotton destroyed the visitors' hopes. Supported by Russ Bradley (30 not out) he plundered the Lancaster bowlers to the tune of four sixes and nine fours before he was caught on the boundary with St Annes just two runs short of victory, which they achieved for the loss of five wickets.
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