We can roll our way to promotion - Stones
BURSCOUGH didn’t start the season the way they would have liked after falling to defeat against Highfield on Saturday.
The visitors won by almost 70 runs as Burscough struggled to cope with a low-bouncing wicket in the second innings.
Newly-appointed captain Jon Stones won the toss and chose to bowl first and Burscough got off to a fairly encouraging start.
However, as the pitch deteriorated, Highfield were able to take advantage and Burscough didn’t put together a good enough score with the bat.
“We did okay at the start with the ball as we reduced them to a total that we thought was more than achievable,” said Stones.
“The wicket was okay at that point but the bounce was a little low and that was causing problems at some points.
“In the second innings, our opening batsmen Ryan Hughes and Michael Simpson got us off to a good start.
“The wicket became a lot worse though and with some decent, tight bowling from Highfield, they were able to bowl us out for a lot less than we hoped for.
“They had help from the deteriorating pitch but it just wasn’t meant to be.”
After finishing midtable in Division One last season, Burscough hope to push on in the new campaign and challenge at the top.
Stones believes his side are capable of going for one of the two promotion spots and he hopes his side can get going with a comfortable victory against Skelmersdale this Saturday.
The local newcomers were promoted last season so Burscough hope to take advantage of their inexperience of Division One and take maximum points.
“We are hoping to aim for the top two promotion spots this season and that is definitely within our grasp,” said Stones.
“We have no absentees or injuries this week against Skelmersdale so we will be looking to get full points from the game.
“Fingers crossed we can put in a good performance and get going.”