Shaun shining
FOSTERS LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET SHELDAN KEAY
RISHTON were big winners in the Lancashire League after an eight-wicket victory ensured that Rawtenstall’s poor start to the campaign continued.
The toss was won by Rishton at Blackburn Road, who decided to field first in a game which was reduced to 27 over per side, with Rawtenstall struggling to make any real impact with the bat.
Rizwan Shafiq hit an unbeaten half century for the visitors, but only two of his other teammates managed to reach double figures, as professional Andrew Payne scored 21 and Paul Collis made 13.
The remaining seven batsmen to take to the crease could make just 11 runs between them, as Rawtenstall ended their innings on 108-8.
Rishton professional Shaun von Berg opened his side’s innings in style, going on to score 71 not out from just 46 balls.
It meant his side reached a score of 106-2 with just under 10 overs to spare, picking up the win and condemning Rawtenstall to defeat.
Rawtenstall stay bottom of the Lancashire League having lost four and had one no result in their five games so far, while Rishton are in 11th place.
ACCRINGTON suffered defeat after they lost by 54 runs against East Lancashire at Alexandra Meadows.
Accrington won the toss and decided to field in the game that had been reduced to 25 overs per side, and it looked like it was a good decision when East Lancs were 13-2 at one stage.
Professional Andries Gous steadied the ship though when he scored 70 from just 55 balls, while MG Cattermull (38 not out) and Mohammed Bhada (35) also chipped in to help their side post a total of 181-5 at the end of their innings.
Accrington struggled to get going in their response, with Ramiz Hussain top scoring for his team with just 20 not out.
It meant Accrington ultimately fell short of their target, finishing on 127-7 at the end of their innings and therefore losing the game.
East Lancs are now in second place after their triumph, while Accrington find themselves in joint seventh place alongside Burnley and Great Harwood.
GREAT HARWOOD fell victim to Bacup picking up their first win of the season on Saturday after they were beaten by five wickets.
The match at Lanehead was reduced to 22 overs per side due to the poor weather, with Bacup winning the toss and choosing to field.
Hamim Miah top scored for the visitors with 49 from just 18 balls, while professional Ashen Silva and Paul Houldsworth also chipped in with 22 apiece as Great Harwood finished on 143-7 at the end of their innings.
Bacup got off to a rapid start in response, as opener Tim Farragher hit a number of boundaries on his way to posting a score of 75 from just 48 balls.
Professional Ernest Kemm made 37 alongside him, but there were a few nervy moments as Bacup soon went from 112-0 to 115-3.
The home side lost a couple more wickets but they were able to reach the target with relative ease, finishing on 145-5 with seven overs to spare.
Bacup are up to 14th place after the win, while Great Harwood are now in joint-seventh place.
Elsewhere in the Lancashire League, Ramsbottom’s clash with Nelson at Acre Bottom fell victim to the weather as the match finished in a no result.
The game was initially reduced to 20 over per side and got underway with Nelson put into bat first, who finished on 114-8 at the end of their innings after David Crotty top scored with 35.