Fylde coast cricket preview: St Annes' perfect start ahead of rare derby

St Annes have won both 40-over games and all three twenty20 fixtures

Straight talking from coach Chilton after Red Rose batting failure

New captain Tom Higson has seen his first XI win both games in the 40-over competition, while St Annes have also won three out of three in the T20 to finish top of their group.

Victory at Church Road on Saturday could see St Annes take a firm grip on Group A in a rare contest between these two Fylde coast clubs.

Under normal circumstances, St Annes would contest the Northern Premier League while Lytham compete in the Liverpool Competition, though in this shortened season they go head to head in a round-robin involving the Fylde coast’s five elite clubs.

Higson told the Gazette: “I’ve never played against Lytham in senior cricket, so it will be good to see where both clubs are at.

“I think some of the lads from the two clubs are friendly but there was never much contact between the clubs.”

The all-rounder’s focus is on his own side, who have so far enjoyed convincing wins over their traditional NPL rivals Blackpool and Fleetwood.

Higson’s 50 helped St Annes to last weekend’s four-wicket success over Fleetwood in their first home game and the skipper added: “We could not have asked for more and we are really happy.”

While the use of overseas professionals this year has obviously been a non-starter, St Annes are reaping the rewards of appointing a pro in Ryan Ayres who comes from an amateur background with Farnworth Social Circle in the Bolton League.

But Higson says this season is largely about giving an opportunity to young players, adding: “Matt Yeadon got an ankle injury against Blackpool in the first game and other players have taken their chance. I’m really pleased with the lads who have come in.”

Lytham, who fell to their first defeat in a low-scoring contest at Blackpool on Saturday, are also using the competition to blood young players for the return of league cricket next year.

Lytham captain Matt Taaffe described this summer’s games as “friendlies with a competitive edge” and Higson would agree.

He said: “Yes, it’s about looking ahead to 2021, when hopefully we will be back to normal.

“But our aim is to carry on winning this year, right through the final on September 19.”

Before then there will be a second group stage to negotiate, in which the Fylde coast clubs will go their separate ways to face teams currently contesting the other three level one groups.

And Higson is a big supporter of the competition, adding: “I think it’s good not having to travel at this stage, though we will play teams from further afield in the second group.

“It has been a bit weird, with all the wiping of the ball and the hand-sanitising, but we are happy just to be playing cricket and I’ve got no complaints.”

Blackpool CC will become the first Fylde coast side to complete their group fixtures in the initial stage of the 40-over competition tomorrow, when they visit a Thornton Cleveleys team chasing their first win.

Blackpool currently share top spot in group A with St Annes on eight points but have played a game more.

The Stanley Park club will then sit out the final round of matches in their odd-numbered group next weekend.

There’s a tough test for Kirkham and Wesham in group B at home to 100 per cent leaders Fulwood and Broughton.

At level two, South Shore are the only unbeaten club after three games in group A and they can take a big step towards winning the group with victory over second-placed Fleetwood 2.

The T20 competition resumes on Sunday, when group B will be decided by Fleetwood’s match at home to Longridge.

St Annes have already secured top spot by winning all three games, though the second qualifying place for the quarter-finals remains up for grabs.

SATURDAY’S FIXTURES

40-over competition Level 1 Group A: Lytham v St Annes, Thornton Cleveleys v Blackpool,

Group B: Kirkham and Wesham v Fulwood and Broughton, Longridge v Great Eccleston, Preston v Garstang

Group C: Chorley v Euxton, Penwortham v Leyland, Vernon Carus v Eccleston

Group D: Lancaster v Morecambe, Netherfield v Kendal

Level 2 Group A: Great Eccleston 2 v Fylde, South Shore v Fleetwood 2, St Annes 2 v Lytham 2

Level 3 Group A: Grimsargh v Blackpool 3, Ingol v Wrea Green, Whittingham and Goosnargh v Thornton Cleveleys 2

Level 4 Group A: Blackpool 4 v South Shore 2, Fylde 2 v Wyre

SUNDAY

Twenty20 Group B: Fleetwood v Longridge