SATURDAY’S memorable win at Chorley delighted Kendal CC skipper Chris Miller, but he warned there are tough challenges ahead as the club battle to re-establish themselves in the Northern League.
The Shap Road side made a fine start to the season after last year’s successful Palace Shield promotion campaign, but an indifferent run saw Miller’s side falter in recent weeks.
However, they roared back to form on Saturday with a 105 run win to silence a partisan crowd on a sweltering day at Chorley’s Windsor Park to surge above their opponents in the table.
Yet while the Kendal skipper hailed a victory which may prove pivotal to his side’s season, he said the team faced two big challenges in their next two games and there was no room for complacency.
“Saturday was a great win for us and I was very pleased with the performance,” he said.
“But we have got leaders Leyland at home on Saturday which will be a tough game followed by Blackpool away so we have got some big tests to come.
“However, we beat Leyland earlier this season and hopefully the win at Chorley will give us some confidence.
“We have had some disappointing results recently but the defeats we have had have generally been narrow ones and the results haven’t really reflected our performances.”
A fine century opening partnership between Saeed Bariwala and professional Wes Marshall laid the foundations for the victory at Chorley as they set Kendal on the road to an impressive 216 for 7.
And Chorley were rocked when youngster Toby Tyson shattered the stumps of South African danger man Wian van Zyl first ball, a strike which changed the complexion of the game.
Miller said he was pleased for the 19-year-old, who has come through the ranks at Shap Road and has also been called up to play for the Northern League under 21 side to face an MCC XI at Barrow CC tomorrow, Friday.
Kendal’s win at Chorley was particularly well timed as it helped banish the memory of the previous week’s home derby defeat by Netherfield, who themselves managed to build on their triumph at Shap Road with a home league victory over struggling St Annes.
The victory was important not just in the context of keeping Ben Barrow’s side on the heels of leaders Leyland, but it also gives Netherfield a psychological advantage ahead of St Annes’ return visit to Parkside Road for a Lancashire KO Cup quarter final which takes place a week on Sunday, July 14.
Yet there’s other business to attend to first for Netherfield, who travel to Longridge on Saturday for a league game then make another trip down the M6 on Sunday for the league’s T20 finals day at Garstang.
Netherfield face Fleetwood at 2pm and if successful, meet the winners of the other semi final between the home side and Leyland.
A coach will be going to the game. Call Netherfield CC for details.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here