Leyland success keeps Red Rose old boy ticking
FORMER Lancashire seamer David Makinson tipped his cap to his Northern Premier League champions Leyland, after they rounded off their season with a comprehensive win over second-placed Blackpool.
Brett Pelser took 4-18 for the visitors with Karl Cross also claiming three wickets as Blackpool were skittled for just 63, with only two players reaching double figures.
Despite Daryl Mitchell’s 325, it was plain sailing for Leyland who wrapped up their seven-wicket win in the 16th over – opening batsman Chris Parkinson top scoring with 26.
And Makinson, impressively still doing the business at 55 years of age having taken 70 first-class wickets between 1984 and 1988 for Lancashire, admits the success of his side is preventing him from hanging up his spikes.
“As long as I’m performing well enough, enjoying my cricket and I’m not an embarrassment in the field, there’s no reason for me to stop playing,” he said.“So hopefully I have a few more years ahead of me!
“We have a great atmosphere in the team. Most of us have played together for six or so years now, and we have won three championships between us.
“We’re used to having a bit of success and we have a great amount of experience. Blackpool had some great younger players but we definitely edged them with experience.
“We have been really strong in the batting department this season. Probably the standout man with the bat has been Henry Thompson, who has averaged in the high thirties and got around 600 runs.
“But it’s been the same with the ball.We have got six lads who got between 20 and 35 wickets for the season.
“If one or two are having an off day, we have been able to rely on the other four to carry the team.
“I am proud of how the boys played all the way through the campaign.”