A FREEZING cold day and an eventual meaningless game of cricket at Stanley Park on Monday (May 25) were just the ingredients to drive spectators away from watching Vaux Northern League cricket.

Nothing could be done about the weather but the fare that was latterly served up for cricket was almost too unbearable to watch.

In a rain-interrupted innings Chorley scored well and made 216-6 before declaring with one of their adjusted 48 overs remaining.

Blackpool, faced with some farcical Chorley bowling, managed to secure the draw with 144-6 in reply in the gathering gloom.

As almost always happens when winning the toss, Blackpool put Chorley in and the decision paid immediate dividends as Cresswell had Cake caught behind by Hackett from the first ball he received and Sharp had Fazackerly similarly caught when he had made eight and the score was just 10.

Chorley captain Roland Horridge and Nigel Heaton then took heavy toll of the Blackpool bowling and added 145 in 122 minutes, between the showers.

Horridge, 74 from 118 balls with 10 fours, was the first to go when Simmonite held on to a catch at mid-wicket and 30 runs later, at 185.

Heaton was smartly stumped by Hackett off Cresswell for 90 made from 113 balls with 12 fours and an all-run five.

Senior, 13, was caught by Hackett off Cresswell, Grayson was well caught by Wiggans for 10 and Angel managed a huge six out of the ground in his 13 not out as 61 runs were plundered in the final 26 minutes of the innings.

Cresswell came out with credit in the total of 216-6 dec with a return of 4-65.

Blackpool's reply began badly.

By the time 30 were on the board Pickles, one, Simmonite, 23, and the unfortunate Wiggans, nought, were back in the pavilion.

In conditions rapidly getting colder, Robin Bracewell and Chris Cornall looked as though they would see Blackpool safely through before Horridge introduced an element of farce.

He himself bowled five overs of what could best politely be called donkey-drops and at the other end Purnell tossed some up for Blackpool to hit.

Sadly for Blackpool, Cornall, 28, perished with a drive straight to Horridge at deep mid-on, Danson edged a catch to slip second ball and Michael Moore, 20, obliged Horridge with an unexpected wicket when he pulled a ball straight to square leg.

It looked as though Blackpool would play into Chorley's hands and throw their wickets away but fortunately time ran out before the farce could become any worse.

Most spectators had gone to the warmth of their fireside when time was called with Blackpool on 144-6.

Bracewell held firm with 58 not out from 138 balls with five fours and one six.

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