Championship axe finally falls on Lancs

LANCASHIRE will be playing Second Division cricket next season after their relegation from the top flight of the Specsavers County Championship was finally confirmed.

The axe has been hanging over the Red Rose since their defeat to Yorkshire earlier this month.

But it finally fell on Tuesday when they were bowled out for 273 in their first innings at Hampshire, meaning they were unable to claim the maximum batting points needed if they had any chance to staying up.

It has been a dismal season for Lancashire, who many people had tipped at the start of the campaign to win the title.

Two wins from their 13 games so far says it all. And now the club face a winter of major decisions over a number of senior players who just haven’t performed this season.

Despite being relegated, captain Liam Livingstone doesn’t believe the side is among the worst two in the eight-team division.

“At times this season we’ve been very bad for hours here and there, and that has killed us,” he said.

“So do I think we’ve been one of the two worst teams?

“No, I just think when we’ve been bad we’ve been very bad and it’s ultimately cost us.

“If I’m honest, I think for two out of eight to go down in the top division is tough.” ●● AFTER topping Division One of the Ribblesdale Cricket League for the majority of the season, Stacksteads CC were pipped at the post by Burnley Belvedere with the New Hall Hey side finishing just five points behind. Stacksteads completed the season by only losing three games – however two of these were fixtures against the eventual champions, which ultimately sealed the destination of the title. They also finished runners-up in the Lawrenson Cup to mark a positive season for the club which will be celebrated at their annual Presentation Dinner taking place on Saturday the 6th of October at Bacup CC. See the club’s website for further details.