AN exciting Northern Premier League game of fluctuating fortunes at Stanley Park on Saturday swung one way and then the other.

But in the end neither Fleetwood nor Blackpool could force a win to achieve maximum points and they had to settle for an honourable draw.

Fleetwood batted first and, thanks to a magnificent century by John Wright, reached 195-8 in their 57 overs. In reply Blackpool, 92-2 with 20 of their 55 overs remaining, lost wickets rapidly later on and had to abandon the chase for victory as they closed at 175-9.

Wright and Dewhurst put on an opening partnership of 130 in 121 minutes with the former doing the bulk of the scoring. Well though Stephen Croft and, to a lesser degree, Marcus Sharp bowled they could not trouble the Fleetwood openers and it was only when spin was introduced in the form of Paul Danson that the partnership was broken. Dewhurst, 30 from 110 balls and the only four of the innings other than from the bat of Wright, suddenly had a rush of blood, charged down the track and Martin Hackett duly completed the routine stumping.

Thereafter no-one could stay for any length of time with Wright and it was only young Steve Whiteside, with nine, that kept him company for any length of time. Wright continued on past his century but first lost professional Ghulam Bodi for nought as he was leg before wicket to Sharp and then Michael Clinning caught by Lomas at slip off Sharp for six. That was 147-3 and it was soon 162-5 as Rob Clark, six, was leg before wicket to Sharp, Danny Thomas, one, was bowled by Croft and then Whiteside, having done an admirable job, was bowled by Sharp.

At 190, Fleetwood lost Wright as he fiercely drove a ball from Croft back down the track only for the bowler to take an excellent low return catch. Wright's innings was one of the best seen by an amateur for many a long year and his 129 came from 149 balls with two sixes and 10 fours. Thereafter Paul Hague, two, was run out by a direct throw from Martin Pickles and Zac Taylor was left five not out as the innings closed at 195-7.

Blackpool's reply had reached 21 when Pickles,10, was caught behind by Riley when he got the faintest of touches to a ball from Hague, whose fine opening spell of 10 overs was rewarded with 1-22.

Simcock, on nine, could have followed his partner to the pavilion as he edged Fish to Clinning at slip but the catch went astray so he and Croft took Blackpool on to 55 before the latter was dismissed for 23. And he appeared none too happy with the decision that sent him on his way, leg before wicket to Fish.

Lomas came in and, after a tentative start in which he survived three leg before appeals from successive balls, took the attack to Fleetwood. He quickly overhauled his more sedate partner and when he was out, leg before wicket to Fish, Blackpool were in control at 129-3 with plenty of overs in hand. He had made 47 from 65 balls with four fours and one six that took a ridge tile off the pavilion roof!

Chris Barrow tried to keep the momentum going but he lost Simcock, caught behind by Riley off Bodi for a hard working, if sometimes painstaking, 42 from 119 balls. Barrow survived a difficult skied chance to Wright at extra cover but then fell to a Clinning slip catch off Bodi when he had made 19. And that was virtually the end of the Blackpool challenge as Fleetwood put the pressure on the later batsmen and very nearly pulled off victory.

Fleetwood 195-8 Blackpool 175-9