Five star Lee tears into Kirkham and Wesham

With skipper Matt Jackson unavailable it was left to Andy Butler to steer TCC to another victory.

Butler was indebted to another five wicket haul from Graham Lee and two classy knocks from James Ferguson (62no) and Dan Woods (31no) who guided Torrisholme home with ease.

Losing the toss, Butler was asked to field as Kirkham and Wesham skipper Anthony Harrison (12) wanted to make the most of a good looking surface.

With the dangerous Michael Brooks (12) the pair got off to a solid start as John Gates (1-51) and Neil Jordan (1-24) were punished for anything short or wide.

However, both eventually did their jobs and the openers were removed with the score on 31-2 from the first eight overs.

Aftal Patel (32) and David Reddy junior (31) the next batsmen in for Kirkham and the pair settled and scored quickly to leave the visitors in a commanding position at drinks with the score at 92-2.

Jordan was replaced by Lee (5-32) and it took him no time at all to start causing trouble.

He trapped Patel LBW and combined with Parry and Gates to claim the wickets of Moore (19) and Moshin Patel (9) who both looked in the mood for runs.

Slowing the scoring rate by taking wickets is always a good recipe and chef Lee was joined in the kitchen by Jeff Stobbart (3-34) who’s leg spin was the undoing of Imran Patel (10) stumped well by Carl Acton. Acton, returning to do another impeccable job, also helped Stobbart catch Ikram Patel (10) which left Lee to mop up the tail and complete his third five wicket haul of the campaign.

A first innings score of 143 all out for Kirkham was a total that felt light on a very good batting track but they simply had no answer to the Lee and Stobbart combination.

Torrisholme’s innings got off to a quick fire start, Bee (6) wasn’t hanging about and with Butler (26) they pushed the score to 12-1 before Bee tried one big shot too many and was clean bowled by Ikram Patel (2-37).

Patel was soon back in the action as he strangled the in-form Chris Parry (6) down the leg side, caught well by Kirkham and Wesham keeper Brooks.

Torrisholme were in a spot of bother but Woods (31no), along with Butler, pushed the score past 50.

Butler fell for 26 again caught behind off Wilson (1-28) the score 53-3.

James Ferguson joined Woods and was very watchful to begin with.

Once the pair sized up the bowling attack the watchfulness disappeared and the carnage commenced.

Scoring freely the pair smashed the ball to all parts and Ferguson bludgeoned his way past 50 and eventually to 62no.

The pair chased the total down in the 30th over.It was another great win for Torrisholme, Lee and Woods continuing their fine form and Ferguson getting a much needed score.

A buoyant Torrisholme now sit second in the table and are setting themselves some real high standards, which if they maintain will see them ‘there or there abouts’.

Saturday sees them travel to Whittingham and Goosnargh in the league and then Sunday is the quarter final Meyler Cup clash, away at Penwortham.