Final defeat for Lancashire Under 17s
Narrow loss for Lancashire in County Cup Final
Lancashire U17s were beaten by 19 runs in the final of the ECB County Cup against Essex at Kibworth CC, despite a brilliant century from captain Sam Dorsey.
Dorsey won the toss and chose to have a bowl first.
It was a difficult start for Lancashire as Essex moved to 198/2 with captain William Buttleman hitting a run a ball century.
But Lancashire's bowlers fought back hard through Dorsey (5/49) and Jack Morley (2/38) who took regular wickets and restricted the run rate at the back end of the innings.
The Red Rose required 269 for victory and they were dealt a blow when they lost both openers with the score on just 19.
However a third wicket partnership of 82 between Dorsey and Kurtis Watson (35) took their score beyond three figures.
When Watson was dismissed, Dorsey was joined by Will Turner (30) and the pair added 72 as Lancashire edged closer to their target.
But Lancashire lost a flurry of wickets and when Dorsey was dismissed for a superb 105, the Red Rose still needed 31 to win with just one wicket remaining.
Despite the best efforts of last men Lord (13*) and Praharsh Parikh (3*) their side finished an agonising 19 runs short of Essex.