LANCASTER enjoyed a convincing 51 runs victory at Lune Road on Friday evening.
Lancaster posted 140 for 7 in their 20 overs. Craig Allison top-scored with 33 as six batsmen reached double figures.
Carnforth pro Gareth Pedder took 3 for 22 and a
lso ran out Allison. Carnforth struggled to 89 all out in reply with Lancaster spinner Ian Burstow taking four for 25 and 15-year-old Charlie Swarbrick three for 15.
There are two crucial games in the Twenty20 competition this week against Morecambe at Woodhill Lane on Tuesday and the return fixture at Lune Road on Friday. They need to win both to make it to finals day.
Darwen 107-3
Lancaster 106
Full of hope the team travelled to Darwen on Saturday only to watch the rain come down for two hours.
The game was reduced to a 34 overs per side and Darwen won the toss and inserted Lancaster on a horrible pitch that was under prepared.
Lancaster were in real trouble at 42 for 7 until professional Mario Olivier (27) and Charlie Swarbrick (17 not out) saw Lancaster to a respectable total of 106 in such poor conditions. Darwen's South African pro David Wiese took six for 43.
Wiese cut down his run-up due to the damp conditions but was none the worse for it while Stuart Hampson weighed in with two wickets.
In reply Olivier took three quick wickets with two brilliant slip catches by Jamie Heywood.
Wiese showed his true all round skills and batted superbly, hitting four fours and two sixes to reach 52 not out and see his side home in partnership with Chris Lowe (25 not out).
St Annes 159-2
Lancaster 155-8
IN the Furness Building Society Cup on Sunday Lancaster were again put to the sword for the second time this season by Atiq Uz-Zaman.
He produced an explosive innings to see St Annes easily defeat Lancaster at Vernon Road.
The Pakistan Test batsman was unbeaten with 90 as St Annes passed Lancaster's 155 for 8 for the loss of just two wickets. Lancaster at one stage were 100 for 2 after opener Michael Stevens hit a fine 55 but they lost six wickets for just 55 runs as St Annes' veteran David Bartholomew claimed six for 33 in his eight overs.
Lancaster's two 16-year-old leg spinners, Billy Akrigg and Alex Metcalfe bowled in tandem to two test players and kept them quiet.
Unfortunately Lancaster's South African professional was again a big disappointment as he conceded 54 runs in just 4 overs after going second ball for a duck.
