THE FRUSTRATION was all Kendal's on their visit to Blackpool on Saturday when the break in the weather dashed the prospects of their clash at Stanley Park.

Having been soundly beaten by defending champions Darwen on the season's opening day, Kendal were keen to put their first winning league points on the board.

Delayed Pakistani professional Kabir Khan had arrived just a week late and duly opened the bowling with Kevin Howarth, who made the breakthrough in the fourth over with a leg-before decision against Simock with the score on eight.

Blackpool averaged about three runs per over before Kabir struck when he theld a caught-and-bolwed chance that sent Croft on his way in the 11th over.

Professional Deon Kruiss joined the potentially dangerous opener Pickles and moved the score on to 47 before both men went in the space of two overs.

By this time Kendal skipper Dave Fallows had turned to Richard Ellwood's spin and the decision paid off as Kruis was caught by Cooper after labouring for eight.

And it was Ellwood who struck again when keeper Chris Florence did a neat pieice of work to stump Pickles for 18.

At 48 for four, Blackpool tried to regain the intiative when newcomer Barrow threw the bat in a quickfire 28.

However, Kendal managed to split the fifth-wicket partnership that had produced 42 in just sevne overs when Howarth bowled Lomas for eight.

Kendal had worked their way into a strong position to run through the remainder of the Blackpool batting at 90 for five when heavy rain stopped play.

At that stage Kendal had bowled over short of the minimum 30 to qualify for a result and it was decided to abandon the match.

May 2, 2003 09:00