A SPLENDID rearguard action by the middle and lower order Blackpool batsmen earned the side a draw in an enthralling Vaux Northern League Division One fixture at Kendal on Saturday (May 1).

Chasing Kendal's 184-3, Blackpool lost their first five batsmen for just 26 runs as Potts and South African professional Ross Veenstra decimated the top order.

Bracewell was leg before for nought and Pickles was caught behind also without scoring.

Armstrong lofted a gentle catch to cover for two and when Croft was bowled for two Blackpool were perilously placed at 9-4. Skipper Singh tried to steady the ship but when he edged Veenstra to the wicketkeeper with the total on 26 the game looked as good as lost for Blackpool.

Enter Chris Cornall and David Bartholomew.

The pair fought back magnificently and added 54 in 40 minutes before Ellwood bowled Cornall for a fighting 35.

With the total on 88 and plenty of overs remaining, Lewthwaite bowled Bartholomew for an entertaining 34 and Blackpool still had much to do.

Thankfully, Namajee (20 n.o.) an injured Newell (13) and professional Marcus Sharp, nought not out from 23 balls, held out so that Blackpool closed at 132-8 to earn what turned out to be a creditable draw and a solitary point.

Earlier in the day the Kendal innings was dominated by the prolific Terry Hunte and Veenstra.

After Kendal had lost two wickets for 46 the pair added 111 in 78 minutes as Blackpool's fielding left much to be desired.

Sharp eventually bowled for Hunte for 62 made from 58 balls with nine fours and one six, but Veenstra was undefeated with 62 not out when the innings closed at 184-3, a total which proved well beyond Blackpool's reach.

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