Holt helps Church see off local rivals
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET ROUND-UP
THERE were mixed emotions for the local cricket sides in the Lancashire League this past weekend as they were involved in several entertaining matches.
CHURCH claimed bragging rights against local rivals GREAT HARWOOD after earning a dominant 98 run victory at Blackburn Road.
Great Harwood won the toss and decided to field first, but Church did well with the bat and finished on 212-7 at the end of their 50 overs. Opener Sam Holt top scored for Church after hitting 73 from 79 balls.
Great Harwood struggled in response, with only five batsmen managing to reach double figures. It could have been an even heavier defeat, as Great Harwood were 82-9 at one stage, but Paul Newton (22) and Stuart Maher (14 not out) were able to reduce the deficit somewhat. It still wasn’t enough though, as Church ran out winners.
ACCRINGTON suffered a disappointing defeat in their match after they lost by seven wickets against Todmorden at Thorneyholme Road.
Accrington won the toss and decided to bat first, but they were poor and were bowled all out for just 95, with only three batsmen scoring more than nine runs.
Todmorden eased to their target, needing just 22 overs to do so, as they finished on 96-3 to earn a dominant victory and condemn Accrington to defeat.
RISHTON were beaten too after losing a narrow game by 19 runs against Clitheroe at Blackburn Road. Rishton won the toss and decided to field, but Clitheroe were able to post an impressive score after they finished on 253-7 at the end of their 50 overs. Rishton pushed their opponents all the way, and despite an unbeaten 111 from 122 balls from professional Mansoor Amjad, it wasn’t enough to help the team earn the win as they could only end on 234-9.
Rawtenstall earned an impressive win overLittleborough by seven wickets at the Worswick Memorial Ground.
Littleborough won the toss and decided to bat first, but they were bowled all out for just 88 after impressive bowling from Rawtenstall. Brett Pelser was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts, finishing with figures of 6-39.
It didn’t take Rawtenstall long to reach their target in response, with the team ending on 91-3 after just 20 overs, with Pelser also starring with the bat as he finished unbeaten on 50.
Haslingden were also victorious after they won by three wickets against Crompton at Bentgate.
It was Crompton who batted first after winning the toss, but they were bowled all out for 151.
It looked like Haslingden would fall well short of their target when they were 74-6 at one stage, but an unbeaten 42 from Jo Sipocz late down the order helped the team finished on 152-7, winning the match with three wickets remaining and with 15 balls to spare.
Ramsbottom were beaten by seven wickets against Walsden at Scott Street. Ramsbottom won the toss and decided to bat, and finished 189 all out after top scores from professional Senuran Muthusamy (60) and Tom Parton (51).
Despite the score, it wasn’t enough to deny Walsden, who performed well with the bat and ended on 190-3 with nearly seven overs to spare. Opener Josh Gale led from the front for his side, scoring an unbeaten 106 from 122 balls.
Other results from the weekend saw Darwen beat Colne by eight wickets, Lowerhouse defeat Nelson by 34 runs, Burnley win by 26 runs against Middleton, and Nelson earn an eight-wicket win against East Lancashire.