Accy struggle in 128-run loss

CRICKET

ACCRINGTON came up short in their match after they lost to Lowerhouse by 128 runs at Thorneyholme Road.

Lowerhouse won the toss and decided to bat, with professional Mark Cosgrove hitting 93 from 94 balls to help his side end on 243-7 at the end of their 50 overs.

Accrington struggled in reply, with professional Janith Liyanage only managing to top score with a total of 38. It meant that Accrington were bowled all out for 115, with Lowerhouse earning the big win.

RISHTON also suffered an emphatic defeat after they were beaten by Haslingden by 183 runs at Bentgate.

Haslingden batted first after winning the toss, with Graham Knowles top scoring with 86. Professional Kamran Ghulam also added 69, and it looked like Haslingden were on course for a big score after they were 214-3 at one stage. There were several wickets to fall though during the back end of the innings, with Haslingden ending on 249-7 after 50 overs.

Rishton were extremely poor in their reply, despite opening Sajid Patel making an unbeaten 43 from 54 balls. None of the other batsmen reached double figures though, with Chris Sanderson the second highest scoring on just six runs. Jo Sipocz finished with figures of 5-38 for Haslingden, while Sean Hunsley took an equally as impressive 4-18.

CHURCH came out on top in their match after defeating Rochdale by three wickets at Redbrook.

Church won the toss and decided to field, and it looked like it was a smart decision as they were able to bowl Rochdale all out for 104. Professional Nick Kelly top scored with 38, but only three other batsmen managed to reach double figures.

Church lost several wickets as they chased down the target, but they were able to get there in the end as they finished on 105-7 to earn the victory.

ENFIELD suffered a loss after they were beaten by 14 runs against Littleborough at Hare Hill.

Littleborough won the toss and batted first, but despite an unbeaten 48 from Matthe Hernon, the rest of the team struggled to hit any major scores and they were bowled all out for 121.

It looked like Enfield were on course to win when they were 75-2 at one stage, but a collapse followed and the team soon found themselves 76-5. Further wickets well and the team were bowled all out for 107, with Littleborough earning the win.

BACUP travelled to Great Harwood hoping to extend their three match unbeaten run.

Having won the toss, Harwood batted first and put on 128 for the first wicket in quick time with veterans Alan Armer making 66 and Mas Ahmed 50.

The Bacup professional Ernest Kemm took 3 for 66 from his 15 overs whilst Jack Bradford bowled a good spell of 1 for 29 from 9 overs to stem the tide.

However, a late surge of runs from Harwood professional Ashen Silva, who finished undefeated on 64, meant that they finished on 244 for 5.

In reply Bacup started rather too slowly and left themselves too much to do.

Kemm took a while to get into stride, but just as he was threatening to mount a challenge , he was run out for 77. Skipper Aaron Fielding made a valiant effort with 57 not out and there were useful contributions from Collinge (18), Donovan (19) and Jack Bradford (22 not out).

Bacup fell 26 runs short finishing on 218 for 6, picking up 3 bonus points for their efforts.

Meanwhile, the second XI at Lanehead picked up the maximum 12 points in an exciting threewicket victory. Great Harwood were bowled out for 175 in 36 overs.

The run chase was a team effort taking Bacup to victory with 10 overs to spare.