IT was almost a one-man show at Stanley Park in the third round of the Thwaites LCB Knock Out Cup on Sunday.

Blackpool's Martin Pickles stole the show with 2-31 when Sefton played their 25 overs and then scored a magnificent 82 not out in Stygian gloom as Blackpool reached 119-4 from 21.1 overs to win by six wickets.

Rain reduced the contest to 25 overs per side and when Blackpool won the toss Sefton Park were invited to bat.

No-one could really take command of the bowling as Marcus Sharp set the tone with three tidy opening overs.

Steve Paulson top scored with 31 before David Bartholomew trapped him leg before wicket, and Howie Baird chipped in with 21 not out at the end.

In between wickets fell regularly, none more spectacularly than the first when Mahadan was superbly caught by wicketkeeper Martin Hackett off Stephen Croft. Hackett completed a second piece of artistry later in the innings when he smartly stumped Seabury whose defensive prod left the ball, but not his feet, just inside the popping crease. Hackett was round the stumps in a flash to take off the bails and complete a neat piece of work. Pickles was the lucky bowler.

When Blackpool batted, skipper Mark Lomas -- although carrying an injury -- opened the innings with Pickles but he played second fiddle to the main act. Lomas was eventually out for 19 when the total was 65 in the 12th over and, although conditions worsened, Pickles was still able to see the ball like a Belisha beacon. He lost Croft for six, Paul Danson for three and a completely out-of-form Gavin Armstrong for nought, but he was not to be deterred.

He struck the winning runs in almost total darkness and raced to 82 not out from 77 balls with eight fours as Blackpool completed the six-wicket win at 7.57pm.

They now meet Ormskirk in the quarter final at Stanley Park on a date to be arranged.

SCORECARD: Blackpool 119-4 Sefton Park 118-7