On winning the toss, skipper, James Wharton, asked Lancashire to bat first and he struck with the first ball of the second over to remove Balderson and Joel Gunn removed Bell soon after to leave our hosts at 9-2.
Rob Jones and Ben Walkden added 42 in 35 deliveries before the latter was caught for 15 off the bowling of Andy Jones. Jones was joined by Watson and their partnership added exactly 100 in 67 balls before Watson was caught at cover by Jack Shutt to give Gunn his second wicket.
Jones reached 50 from 46 balls and was undefeated at the end with 85 from 58 with six fours and three sixes. Watson made 50 from 42 and Lancashire closed on 171-4.
Finn Allen was caught at cover in the third over but Will Luxton and Wharton added 29 in 24 balls before Luxton was caught at deep square leg for 32 from 22 balls and at 62-2 the game was in the balance. However within 13 deliveries this became 66-5 and despite 26 from Loten (16 balls; 2×4;1×6) we finished 142-8.
Final T20 action is at Harrogate on Friday 3rd June with 2 games against Nottinghamshire.
John Virr – 2nd XI Scorer
