SECOND XI MATCH REPORT: Lancashire win last ball thriller against Derbyshire
Jack Blatherwick pushed the last ball of the match for a single with his dive beating the throw to the bowlers end to clinch a thrilling five-wicket victory in the Second Eleven Trophy at Derby.
That was the culmination of a great run chase with Lancashire needing 42 runs from the final four overs in pursuit of their 153 target.
When George Lavelle, who made an excellent 51 off 33 balls, and Luke Wood (3) perished in quick succession to leave the visitors on 111 for four at the end of the 16th over, the hosts looked to be favourites.
But Cian Dickinson, who finished unbeaten on 55 off 45 balls, and Steven Croft hit a flurry of boundaries to stay on course.
Crucially, Dickinson took 13 off the 19th over bowled by former England quick Pat Brown to leave 11 required from the last.
Having conceded just two runs from his first three deliveries, Nick Potts then bowled a no ball that Croft pulled for four. Two runs off the fourth ball brought the scores level but the bowler then bowled Croft for 18 leaving Blatherwick to seal victory off the last.
Muhammed Naeem hit 22 off 12 balls at the start of the Derbyshire innings after the hosts had been put in to bat, but he was one of two early wickets for Mitch Stanley that left the home side on 52 for two from the six over powerplay.
Blatherwick accounted for Harry Came (13) and then caught Samit Patel (7) off Harry Birkman before Croft had Ross Whiteley caught and bowled for 25 with Derbyshire 85 for five midway through the 12th over.
A blistering unbeaten 36 off 26 balls by Southport’s Jack Carney revived the innings with good support from Harry Moore (18) and Blair Tickner (16 not out) to take the home side to 152 for six.
And that came very close to being enough until Lancashire pulled off that dramatic last ball win.
TEAMS
Derbyshire: Harry Came, Mitch Wagstaff, Muhammed Naeem, Samit Patel (wkt), Ross Whiteley, Jack Carney (wkt), Harry Moore, Nick Potts, Blair Tickner, Pat Brown, Harris Ajaz
Lancashire: Keash Fonseka, Harry Singh, Cian Dickinson, George Lavelle (capt/wkt), Luke Wood, Gennaro Reddy, Charlie Barnard, Harry Birkman, Steven Croft, Jack Blatherwick, Mitch Stanley.