A SPLENDID spell of quick bowling by professional Marcus Sharp earned Blackpool their first Vaux Northern League Division One victory of the season at Preston on Saturday (May 9).

With Preston reeling at 63-7, Sharp had captured all seven wickets at a personal cost of 21 runs in 21 overs and at the close of the innings he had bowled unchanged for 7-44 as Preston scrambled to 117-8.

Run-scoring was never easy on a damp track and, against some tight Preston bowling, Blackpool had no easy task to secure their first win of the season.

But with six overs remaining Paul Danson was once again the mainstay of the middle-order and ran the single which secured the three wicket win the the much-needed 12 points.

Skipper Gavin Wiggan's decision to put Preston in to bat when he won the toss reaped rich rewards as, without a Preston batsman playing a shot, Sharp had Fleetwood and Paul Mann leg before wicket with no runs scored.

Anthony Mann was then caught behind by debutante wicket-keeper Martin Hackett for seven, professional Manoj Parekh was caught by Danson at slip for six, Sachdeva was caught in the deep by Cresswell for six and when Kearsley, after brief resistance, gave Cresswell his second catch. Preston were a sorry 62-6.

Druce, who fought hard for 26, was out one run later when he presented Cresswell with his third catch and at that point Sharp looked as though he would run through the whole side.

But, having played three games for Minor Counties in the week, he naturally tired and Greenwood and Paynter took advantage, valiantly adding 48 in 31 minutes to add a touch of respectability to the total.

Cresswell then bowled the former for 18, Paynter finished 27 not out and Preston closed on 117-8.

Blackpool mirrored Preston's start as Pickles was smartly caught in the gully for nought without a run on the board. Simmonite made 20 before mistiming a drive for Kearsley to hold an excellent tumbling catch at deep mid-off and it was 26-2.

McDonnell, 13, was sent back by Bracewell and was run out at 47 before the latter, in company with Wiggans, whop brought the side round with a partnership of 44 in 45 minutes.

At 91 Bracewell, 34, was leg before wicket to Ben Harrison, who bowled well for a 3-33 return.

At 102 Wiggans was caught by Paul Mann off the same bowler.

Mamajee and Sharp perished cheaply but Danson stood firm, scampered 22 runs and saw Blackpool to 118-7 and a morale-boosting victory.

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