THE bank holiday weather almost put paid to the cricket action over the weekend but Saturday's fixtures survived unscathed.

Monday's game between Morecambe and Lancaster was a wash out without a ball being bowled, but both teams managed to play on Saturday.

Lancaster's 1st and 2nd teams faced Preston, with Lune Road hosting the 2nd's, and both games were importantly affected by captain strategies.

Youngster Ben Simm shone in the bowling attack for the 1st's while a patient stand by Breese and Burstow helped to secure a losing draw. Captain, Phil Dennison, admitted, "All in all, it was a fair result."

He went onto praise the tactics of his counterpart, manager of Lancaster City FC, Tony Hesketh: "Tony always kept us interested and kept us in it".

However, as much as they encouraged the batsmen to attack and loosen their guard, Preston could not ultimately dismiss the resolute Burstow.

17 year-old, Simm, took impressive figures of 3-59 off 18 overs while club professional, Breese, made 77. Although Lancaster failed to claim the victory, Dennison saw their performances as encouraging, "We've a few good young lads in the team. Ben Simm did superb and although Danny Hagan was out first ball, he's already hit a 60 this season."

During the partnership of Breese and Burstow, the skipper said, "it looked as though we might do it but we were always a little short. We're improving though and the future looks bright".

Although Hesketh's tactics were similar to those used by Lancaster's 2nd team captain, Steve Johnstone, their fortunes were slightly different.

As the 2nd team fixture was heading towards a draw, Ian Dawson claimed the last Preston wicket to secure a Lancaster win.

Lancaster lost the toss and were put into bat on what appeared to be a difficult batting wicket. However, a tremendous stand between opener Anthony Cadman and the experienced Brian Phillips established a daunting target for the visitors.

Chris Glover then took apart their batting order almost single-handedly to set up the tense finish. Johnstone said of the openers, "They put us in a commanding position and we knew we could defend that total".

Glover's 8-49 provided the solitary sparkle in an otherwise dull bowling display. For which the skipper was grateful, "He changed the pace of the wicket and put the pressure on. It was a great effort from Chris".

By bowling faster than average, Preston were allowed additional overs come 6:30. This gamble could have backfired but it proved to be Johnstone's masterplan to victory.

It was in these additional overs that Dawson bowled the crucial wicket. Johnstone explained, "We had to play positively. It was important that we made sure they thought they had a chance, and not play out for the draw". That the 1st team successfully achieved in their fixture.

Morecambe;

MORECAMBE claimed second place in the table before the bank holiday monday fixtures with a thumping victory over Leyland.

Woodhead got them off to a perfect srt with an innings of 40, but the real star of the show was Phil Thornton, who completed a fine unbeaten stand of 121 before Morecambe declared. on 265 for 5.

Leyland wickets fell steadily, with M Pallett their top scorer on 71, though they were out on 172.

Stephen's was Morecambe's bowling star, taking five wickets for 51. as Morecambe wrapped up victory by 93 runs.

Morecambe's second XI also claimed a victory in their game at Leyland.