ST ANNES had a comfortable eight wickets victory over Fleetwood at Broadwater in the Vaux Samson Cup, first round .

Russell Bradley won the toss and put Fleetwood in to bat.

John Wright and Nic Coultas added 23 for the first wicket before the former was caught by Russ Bradley off Joe Davies for 14.

Nic Coultas and Mike Clinning featured in a 50 runs partnership for the second wicket before the latter was run out for 13.

Fleetwood's South African professional Shawn Nicolson joined Coultas as they took the score on to 113 before Nicolson was caught behind by Duncan Whalley off first change bowler Adrian Darlington for 28.

Nine runs later Coultas was caught by Ian Hill for 55 to become Darlington's second victim.

His innings lasted 140 minutes and he hit two sixes and three fours off 93 balls.

Fleetwood were restricted to 156 for 9 off their 45 allotted overs.

Adrian Darlington bowled superbly to take 5 for 32 from his permitted 9 overs, while the opening pace bowlers Dave Callaghan and Joe Davies took 2 for 32 and 1 for 31 respectively.

In reply Adrian Darlington and Andrew Kellett gave the St Annes innings a firm foundation with a 61 runs partnership for the first wicket.

Darlington was run out for 30 and he batted 56 minutes, faced 44 balls and hit 4 fours.

Kellett and St Annes professional Dave Callaghan took the score on to 148 before the former was caught by John Wright off Nic Coultas for 43.

He batted 102 minutes and hit 7 fours off 98 balls.

Callaghan and Russ Bradley saw St Annes home to victory on 157-2.

The former was undefeated with 62 and his partner with four.

Callaghan's aggressive innings lasted 53 minutes and he hit eleven boundaries off 51 balls.

This Saturday (May 22) sees a return to league fixtures and St Annes travel to Cumbria to play Kendal at Shap Road.

On their current form St Annes should win but they will have to be mindful of Kendal's South African professional Ross Veenstra, who made an undefeated 108 last Saturday against Chorley.

St Annes play Lancaster in the second round of the Vaux Samson Cup at Vernon Road on Sunday, May 30.

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