ST. ANNES easily beat bottom club, Preston by 102 runs at Vernon Road.

Manoj Parekh captaining Preston won the toss and inserted St. Annes.

It appeared a prudent decision when Adrian Darlington was caught behind by Glen Johnstone off opening pace-bowler Julian Edwards for five, with only 12 runs on the board. Nevertheless, opening batsman, Gareth Evans, and professional, Dave Callaghan redressed the balance with a 130 runs partnership for the second wicket before Evans was adjudged LBW to Preston professional, Scott Henderson for a solid 64.

Half the St. Annes side were dismissed for 182 when Dave Callaghan was caught by Paynter off Namajee for an attractive 98.

Ironically, the next wicket fell without addition when Adam Cotton was caught off Namajee without opening his account.

The St. Annes innings was declared after 52 overs with Bickerdike undefeated on 26, and Whalley with five.

Preston's opening pace bowler, Jabir Namajee bowled impressively to take 3 for 30 from 14 overs. Preston never looked like reaching the target as they slumped to 50-6. Left-arm pace bowler, Joe Davies took three of them, and another to 15 year-old leg-spinner, Zac Taylor.

Johnstone was caught by Russ Bradley off leg-spinner, John Cotton for 12 and

the visitors eighth wicket fell at 89 when Jabir Namajee was caught by Adrian Darlington to become Cotton's second victim for a painstaking 26.

Dave Callaghan in his second spell captured the last two Preston wickets for an additional 19 runs.

Left arm pace-bowler, Joe Davies was the pick of the St. Annes bowling attack with 5-23 from 10 overs.

Looking Forward

For their penultimate match of the season, St. Annes travel to Lune Road to play Lancaster.

Although the home side beat Morecambe in a low-scoring derby match on Bank Holiday if St. Annes play to their full potential they should record their sixth victory of the season.