The Roses in the county cricketing world is one of the fiercest domestic rivalries in the sport. It’s no great surprise then, that the upcoming tournament between the universities either side of the Pennines will also include a battle on the cricket field, a battle which is heating up to be a fascinatingly entertaining contest.
With the side having got off to a good start in their BUCS League, beating Liverpool John Moores University by 58 runs, Lancaster University’s 1st XI will be looking to avenge the 5 wicket defeat inflicted upon them in the Roses held in York last year. One player to watch will be Peter Barnes, ironically from York, who scored an unbeaten century on his Lancaster debut. They will be hoping that the weather does not intervene as they look to bring the 4 points to Lancaster.
Lancaster’s 2nd XI are also once again in Roses action. Last year they beat York 2nds by 3 wickets and captain Adam Heayns is hoping to graduate this year with two out of two Roses victories under his captaincy belt. The side began their season on Wednesday where, on a disintegrating pitch thanks to the April weather, Ollie Caswell took 7-18, including a hat-trick, to help see Leeds Trinity 2nds to 105 all out. Michael Gladstone score 31 not out in reply to help the side gain a 5 wicket victory. The squad demonstrated that it’s a solid unit, with all the players equally capable of rising to the challenge and performing on the big day.
On the 2nd team’s chances of Roses victory Heayns said, “We came out winners [in Roses 2011] with a team arguably a little weaker than what we have this year. But combined with a little bit more Roses experience, the team just gets better and better. The lads are keen and fired up already. I certainly see a team that can not only win, but a team that really does want to win.”
Both sides are playing their matches at Morecambe Cricket Club, located on Woodhill Lane in Morecambe. The second XI plays on the Thursday 3rd May with a 12:00 start, whilst the first XI plays on the Friday 4th May also with a 12:00 start. Both teams will be hoping for as much support as possible in their quest to bring the points and the glory to the Red Rose.
