Leyland Daf 176-8 St Annes 202-4 ST ANNES nearly won their third match of the season but in the end had to settle for a winning draw at Sandy Lane against the unbeaten Leyland Daf.

Put in to bat, St Annes lost their first wicket at 26 when Adrian Darlington was caught by Alan Murray off Daf professional Steven John for 13. Three runs later, Eldine Baptiste was bowled by John for 14.

St Annes found runs difficult to accumulate and were only 36 for 2 off 16 overs. The Bobby Denning and Chris Harrison put on 53 runs for the third wicket before the former was Alan Murray's third catch but this time off Sifton Prince. He made 26.

The fourth St Annes wicket fell at 111 when Chris Harrison was trapped lbw by Leyland Daf captain, David Makinson for 41 in the 31st over.

Steven Twist and Russ Bradley then set about the Daf attack and featured in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 91 runs as the St Annes innings closed on 202 for four off 49 overs. One over was lost through rain before the game commenced.

Twist's 60 came in 58 minutes off 67 balls and included seven fours, whilst Russ Bradley batted 81 minutes for his undefeated 35. His innings included one for six and two fours off 61 balls.

St Annes had an early breakthrough in the Daf innings when Eldine Baptiste had David Makinson caught at mid-on by John Cotton for four with only six runs on the board. Baptiste then trapped Alan Richardson lbw for three to leave Daf reeling at 13 for two off seven overs.

Then the Catterall brothers steadied the situation, adding 39 runs for the third wicket before Eldine Baptiste caught Duncan Catterall off Brian Tennant for 22.

This brought in Alan Murray who changed the complexion of the match but not before Stuart Catterall amazingly was dismissed in the same manner, and for the same number of runs as his brother.

Murray who was out with the score at 150 for seven made 78. His innings which lasted 59 minutes, included three sixes and 10 fours.

After his dismissal, Daf were content to play for a draw.

Eldine Baptiste was the pick of the St Annes bowlers taking for for 30 off 13 overs, whilst his captain, Brian Tennant supported him with three for 43 off 10 overs.

This Saturday sees St Annes entertain Kendal at Vernon Road which should be a closely fought affair.

The Cumbrians have a useful all-rounder as professional, Ross Veenstra from Transvaal, while Terry Hunte is a consistent run maker.

The club also have two useful spinners in the form of captain Richard Ellwood and Cumberland minor county player Andrew Wilson.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.