With summer approaching, SCAN Sports thought it was time to cover one team whose season is just getting under way, Lancaster University Cricket club. SCAN caught up with Sam Birkinshaw to discuss the season in prospect.
He was eagerly awaiting the first fixture of the season and buoyed by the student interest in the newly re-formed club. He said: “After last season when the exec failed to appoint successors and the club had to fold, it is a surprise that we now have forty members.”
With no named president, the club lost official LUSU society status. The number of members has allowed the team to field a first XI and a social side so that all players will get some match experience.
Birkinshaw was keen to stress the positives as he prepared for a friendly against Heysham on April 17th, principally that the club would be able to play at Lancaster and Morecambe’s grounds this season. This is in contrast to last year’s side that were forced to trek to Silverdale and Kendal to fulfil their home fixtures.
The team managed to secure a place in division 1A this season and will be looking to consolidate their position and retain players for next season. So if you fancy turning your arm over then practice is on Fridays 2-4 in the Sports Hall, new players are always welcome.
Lancaster were narrowly defeated in their first game since reforming, by local side Heysham. After restricting Heysham to 177-9 with three wickets for Adam Humphreys and two for Nick Guest, Lancaster came up just short with their innings ending on 160, boosted by a knock of 43 from Hasnain Rajkotwala.
Despite the defeat Birkinshaw was pleased with the performance of the team. He said it was a “strong performance that suggests we will have a good season.”
The game will prove a useful run-out for the team, who used nine bowlers during the Heysham Innings. Particular congratulations must go to Mike Walton who made key contributions with bat and ball.
