Intervention of rain denies Levi century

LEVI Wolfenden had more reason than most to curse Sunday’s wet weather.

The Church and Oswaldtwistle batsman had struck a stunning 92 off 83 balls, including four sixes and six fours to help his side to 154-2 off the opening 12 overs of their JW Lees Lancashire League Division 2 game at Bacup.

Just eight short of a richly deserved century, Wolfenden and Sagar Vijay Trivedi were sent back to the pavilion as the match officials had little choice but to stop play as the weather conditions worsened.

Earlier in the innings, Josh Scully had struck 39 to put the visitors in a commanding position. However, the abandonment of the match saw both sides take three points.

It was a similar scenario at Hare Hill, where Littleborough played host to Accrington.

The visitors won the toss and elected to field first, making early inroads as in-form opening batsman Zac Perren fell to a Kian Farnworth deliver, Stuart Crabtree taking the catch.

But with just seven overs bowled and Littleborough 14-1, the match was called off.

Great Harwood managed a full innings in their game at Rawtenstall. Having been asked to bat first they managed a total of 139 all out, Reece Willets best with the bat as he top-scored with 42, the game abandoned before Rawtenstall had chance to reply.

Rishton played host to East Lancs at Blackburn Road, losing the toss and being put into bat first.

Mark Leathert scored an unbeaten 47 while Brad Boddie hit 39 as the home side reached 150-7 before the weather took a turn for the worse and play was halted, the match eventually abandoned.

Elsewhere in Division 2, Enfield had played their way into a strong position at Dill Hall Lane against visitors Colne.

Having won the toss, Enfield opted to bat first and reached 188-2 before play was stopped, Lewis

Wright hitting 60 while Zain Abbas (77no) and Yasir Ali (30no) looked to be building a promising stand.

Nelson were probably thankful for the rain’s intervention in their home game against Crompton.

The visitors won the toss and asked Nelson to bat first, the home side struggling with the bat – Usman Tariq with 40 a notable exception – and were 81-7 when the game was prematurely ended.

The only games to reach a conclusion were in Division 1.

Ramsbottom won by eight wickets in their clash against visitors Middleton at Acre

Bottom.

Rammy won the toss and elected to field first, dismissing Middleton for 67 and then chasing down the target with the loss of just two wickets, earning themselves a useful 12 points in the process.

Darwen regained top spot as they won by ten wickets at home against Haslingden, who lost the toss and were asked to bat first.

Hassy were all out for 85, opening bat Matt Griffin top-scoring with 28, John Cordingley claiming 3-2 for Darwen.

The home side knocked off the required runs with ease, courtesy of openers Mark Friend (51no) and Scott Friend (34no).

Darwen’s 12-point return saw them overtake Norden at the top, the Stags having to settle for three points in their abandoned game against Clitheroe at Chatburn Road.

Clitheroe won the toss and fielded first, Norden making 148 all out with Syed Zaidi top-scoring with 33.

The rain kicked in before Clitheroe had chance to respond.

Rochdale dodged a bullet at Redbrook, where Lowerhouse won the toss and fielded first, putting the home side on the ropes at 49-8 before the rain hit.

Greenmount, asked to bat first at Todmorden’s Centre Vale, were all out for 122, Todmorden denied the chance to chase them down.

And at Burnley, the home side reached 150-5 with Ockert Erasmus unbeaten on 54, before the match was abandoned.