Routed - Bartholomew spares Blackpool's blushes

Replying to Kendal's 181-9 Blackpool lost their first five batsmen for a paltry five runs and even though threatening the league's lowest all out total, six by Darwen, was not a possibility, there was a chance that Blackpool would only just pass double figures.

Battling David Bartholomew put a stop to such ridiculous thinking as he spared Blackpool's blushes, made a fine 53 and helped his side to the relative luxury of 95 all out.

But it still spelled defeat by 86 runs.

Through unavailability, Kendal had to open their bowling with the makeshift, but more than useful, Terry Hunte who partnered South African professional Ross Veenstra.

It was the latter who made the first breakthrough when he bowled Robin Bracewell with a full length delivery as the batsman went for the drive.

Hunte then moved one away from Martin Pickles and his off-ball was clipped and Blackpool were two wickets down without a run on the board.

There had been a leg bye when Gavin Armstrong was caught behind by wicketkeeper Fawcett off Hunte and five were on the board when first skipper Rudra Singh, three, was smartly taken by Cooper at slip off Veenstra and then Chris Cornall, one, was given out caught behind off Hunte.

And at 5-5 Blackpool were very quickly starting a heavy defeat in the face.

Paul Danson made just a single before Hunte, the usually destructive batsman revelling in his new bowling role, rearranged his stumps to have Blackpool at 17-6.

Bartholomew and Jabbir Namajee then applied themselves and settled into a 52 run partnership made in only 45 minutes.

It was broken when Bartholomew called his partner for a quick single but, reacting slowly, Namajee failed to make his ground and was run out for a fighting 16.

Pat Newell came and went, caught by Dodds off Hunte for a duck and then Bartholomew, having escaped a close call on a stumping chance, was leg before wicket to Ellwood for 53 made from 50 balls with six fours. The innings closed one run later at 95 when Marcus Sharp was caught at slip by Mawson for one and Blackpool had suffered ignominious defeat by 86 runs with nearly 12 of the final 20 overs remaining.

Earlier in the day there had been no indication of the troubles to come as Kendal cruised to 73 before losing their first wicket.

Andrew Mawson had struck the ball well and when, on 47, he drove forcibly at Danson it looked for all the world the four that would bring him a deserved half century.

But Sharp, fielding at extra cover took a stunning catch to send him back to the pavilion.

His partner Stephen Cooper, 30, followed at 86 when he was stumped by Newell off Danson and Veenstra, six, was caught behind off Namajee two runs later.

Hunte struck a couple of majestic blows but was batting like a millionaire and when he aimed a head in the air drive at Namajee he found his off stump cartwheeling and he was out for 15. A comical mix-up in mid-pitch then saw Sean Stuart run for four and with Paul Dodds, six, becoming Danson's third wicket when he was caught by Namajee at backward square leg, Kendal were in trouble at 115-6.

Paul Fernyhough, 26, and Adam Richardson, 15, then added 29 before the former was bowled by Sharp, operating almost throughout off his short run.

Andrew Wilson came in and struck some hefty blows to make a rapid 22 before he was bowled by Singh and off the last ball of the innings Richardson was run out for 15 so Kendal ended on 181-9 with Blackpool taking two bowling bonus points.

Paul Danson, in his first league bowl of the season, was the most successful bowler with 3-50.

On a relatively benign pitch Kendal's 181-9 had seemed a reasonable total to chase, but once Terry Hunte had embarked on his return of 5-43 Blackpool had a mountain to climb but sadly they did not even make it to base camp.

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