Draws made for 2023 Palace Shield cricket competitions

The draws for three Palace Shield cricket cup competitions, involving many of our local clubs, have been made.

Morecambe Cricket Club’s first XI will be defending the Meyler Cup they won in 2022, beating Fleetwood Cricket Club by just nine runs following a tense and dramatic afternoon at Illawalla in Thornton, with Stefan Dixon picking up the man of the match award for a brilliant all-round performance.

The competition starts on Sunday May 14 with the preliminary round. Seven clubs in the competition receive a bye and proceed straight to Round 1.

The preliminary round draw is as follows:

2: Lancaster v Preston

3: Carnforth v Burneside

4: New Longton v Croston

6: Grimsargh v Mawdsley

7: Tarleton v Fylde

10: Standish v Euxton

11: BAC/EE Preston v Heysham

14: Kirkham & Wesham v Barrow

15: Thornton Cleveleys v Shireshead & Forton

The first round games will take place on Sunday June 4:

A: Westgate v Winner 2

B: Winner 3 v Winner 4

C: Rufford v Winner 6

D: Winner 7 v Torrisholme

E: Sedgwick v Winner 10

F: Winner 11 v Gt Eccleston

G: Vernon Carus v Winner 14

H: Winner 15 v Morecambe

The dates for further rounds of the Meyler Cup are as follows:

Round 2 - Sunday 25 June

Semi Finals - Sunday 16 July

Final - Sunday 20 August at Leyland Cricket Club

In the Loxham Cup which also commences on May 14, seven teams will get a bye into the first round. The majority of teams in this competition are clubs’ 2nd XIs with a few 1st XIs.

2: Leyland 2 v Fleetwood 2

3: Blackpool 2v Longridge 2

4: St Annes 2 v Kirkham & Wesham 2

6: Great Eccleston v Lancaster 2

7: Euxton 2 v Norcross 1

10: Mawdesley 2 v Walton le Dale 1

11: Torrisholme 2 v Tarleton 2

14: Fulwood & Broughton v Whittingham 1

15: Vernon Carus 2 v Ingol 1

The first round games will take place on Sunday June 4:

A: Thornton 1 v Winner 2

B: Winner 3 v Winner 4

C: Chorley 2 v Winner 6

D: Winner 7 v Preston 2

E: Eccleston 2 v Winner 10

F: Winner 11 v Netherfield 2

G: Houghton 1 v Winner 14

H: Winner 15 v Garstang 2

The dates for further rounds of the Loxham Cup are as follows:

Round 2 - Sunday 25 June,

Semi Finals - Sunday 16 July

Final - Sunday 13 August at Rufford Cricket Club

The Crabtree Cup only features one of our local cricket clubs.

Garstang Sunday XI have received a bye to the first round and will play Preston Sunday XI at home on Sunday June 4.

The further cup rounds are as follows:

Round 2 - Sunday 25 June

Semi Finals -Sunday 16 July

Final - Sunday 6 August at Great Eccleston Cricket Club