Lytham swept into the regional semi finals of the Cockspur Cup National K O comfortable beating Ribblesdale League champions Clitheroe by 6 wickets.
 
On a humid day in East Lancashire, Clitheroes innings got off to a slow start as first Michael Rigby & then Rob Dingle struck early. Rigby then pulled out of the attack with a side strain, giving skipper Wisniewski the problem of balancing the remaining bowling allocation. Clitheroe opener Dibb stood firm & recorded an excellent century before eventually falling eighth wicket to Simon Long for 104. Unfortunately for Clitheroe, only two other batsmen reached double figures as wickets fell regularly at the other end.
 
Guy Roberts was brought on to bowl just as he was a Egerton last year when he took a wicket with his first ball. History should have repeated itself, but the unfortunate Roberts had to stand & watch whilst his first ball was spilled at slip on this occassion. .
 
Lythams reply to a respectable 200 all out began cautiously after Long fell for just two runs. Nick Knight (32) & Guy Roberts (40) built a good foundation, but when in form captain Jimmy Wisniewski departed without troubling the scorers, the work had to start again.
 
At 115 for four, Lee Hilton was joined by first 1X debutant Alan Flood. The pair did not take long to take the game by the scruff of the neck & dealing mainly in boundaries, reached their target with four overs to spare..
 
Hilton recorded a seasons best 73 off just 61 balls, whilst Flood scored 40 from just 29 deliveries.
 
Lytham now wait to see who their opponents will be in the regional semi final. Eagly & Fulwood & Broughton fight for the honour next Sunday. The semi final will be staged at Lytham on a date yet to be arranged.
 
Result: Clitheroe 200 all out, Lytham 204 for 4.