Batting lapse for Accrington
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET ROUND-UP
THE Lancashire League season continues to heat up as it was an extremely busy weekend of cricket action.
In Division One, Rochdale were emphatic winners against Accrington after they picked up a nine wicket win at The Property Shop Arena.
Accrington won the toss and decided to bat, but they struggled to make an impact. Only Ross Brown (20) and professional Karl Brown (12) reached double figures as they were bowled all out for just 79, thanks to great bowling efforts from Chris Hartley (4-11) and Steven Oddy (4-47).
Rochdale eased to their target, with professional Edward Moore (36 not out) and Declan Wilkinson (28) helping them reach their target in just 16 overs and end on 81-1 to earn the win and condemn Accrington to defeat.
Rochdale were also dominant winners in the Worsley Cup quarterfinals, as they defeated Colne by 10 wickets away from home to move into the semi-finals.
Church ran out winners as they picked up a 45 run win over Crompton at Blackburn Road. Church won the toss and decided to bat, but it looked like they may have handed Crompton a winnable target as they were bowled all out for just 140, with four batsmen failing to score a single run. It didn’t matter in the end, as Josh Dentith finished with fantastic figures of 4-4, while Jack Gaskill also took great figures of 4-33 to help bowl Crompton all out for just 95 and earn Church the win.
It was a great weekend for Church as they are also through to the Twenty20 semi-finals after they beat
Burnley by 19 runs at Turf Moor.
Norden were triumphant as they beat Clitheroe by three wickets at Woodhouse Lane. Clitheroe decided to bat first after winning the toss, and finished on a respectable 250-7 after an unbeaten 67 from Kyle O’Connor.
Josh Tolley (58) and professional Jake Sandham (53) were the heroes of the Norden innings, as they both reached half centuries to help their side reach their target with three balls to spare, ending on 253-7 to come out on top.
Ramsbottom were beaten as they lost by 98 runs against Darwen at the Ainsworth Lord Estates Ground. Darwen batted first after winning the toss, making a total of 243-5 after opener Ammer Mirza top scored with 79, while John Cordingley (50), David Bowden (43) and Mark Friend (32) also hit significant scores.
Ramsbottom couldn’t get going in reply, with Alex Olpin only managing to top score with 28, as they were bowled all out for 145 in 39 overs to hand Darwen a comfortable victory.
There was more disappointment for Ramsbottom over the weekend, as they were beaten by 95 runs against Todmorden in the Worsley Cup quarter-finals.
Ramsbottom had better success in the Twenty20 quarter-final though, as they defeated Todmorden by 46 runs to move into the final four of the competition.
Elsewhere in the Lancashire League, Walsden picked up a nine wicket win over Burnley at Turf Moor, and Lowerhouse defeated Todmorden by eight wickets at Centre Vale.
In Division Two, Littleborough claimed a 27 run win over Bacup at Hare Hill. Littleborough won the toss and decided to bat first, ending on 205-9 at the end of their 50 overs after a top score of 63 from Clinton Perren.
Bacup opener Simon Newbitt hit 86 in response, but none of his teammates were able to add any significant scores as they were bowled all out for 178 and Littleborough came out on top.
It was a much-better performance in the Twenty20 competition from Bacup, as they earned an emphatic nine wicket win over Crompton at Lanehead to progress to the semi-finals.
Enfield were winners away from home after a six wicket victory over Milnrow at Ladyhouse. Milnrow batted first after winning the toss, with professional Asif Zakir (114) reaching his century to help his side end on 253-6 at the close of their innings.
Despite the impressive total, Enfield went one better as both Lewis Wright (112 not out) and professional Shashrika Pussegolla (106 not out) hit extremely impressive centuries to help their team finish on 254-4 and reach their target with three overs to spare.
Rishton defeated East Lancashire at home after a four wicket win at Blackburn Road. Rishton were bowling first after East Lancs won the toss and opted to bat, and they finished on 175-8 after professional Angelo Jayasinghe finished unbeaten on 62.
Rishton’s reply got off to a shaky start when they were 1-2 at one stage, but they steadied the ship and finished on 175-6 with 13 balls to spare, earning the victory.
Rishton also won the local derby in the Twenty20 competition, as they beat local rivals Enfield by four wickets to reach the semi-finals.
Rawtenstall came up short as they lost by six wickets against Colne at the Worswick Memorial Ground. Rawtenstall won the toss and decided to bat, and despite a half century from Andrew Payne (51), they were bowled all out for 119 after eight batsmen failed to reach double figures.
Colne only needed 28 overs to reach their target, as Kenton Rhodes top scored with 50 to help his team finish on 122-4 and inflict defeat on Rawtenstall.
Haslingden were emphatically beaten after a 126 run loss to Nelson at Seedhill. Nelson won the toss and decided to bat first, ending on 241-8 after Neil Thompson (87 not out) top scored for his side.
Opener Graham Knowles made 52 for Haslingden, but not a single one of his teammates made it into double figures as they were bowled all out for 88, handing Nelson the victory.
Great Harwood were beaten as they lost by one wicket against Middleton at Cliffe Park. Middleton won the toss and decided to field, and Great Harwood could only make 102-9 at the end of their 50 overs.
Despite a low target, Middleton also struggled with the bat, but narrowly crept over the line as they finished on 103-9 to earn the narrow win.