Church pick up win on the road
LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET
WHILE the dramatic final of the Cricket World Cup was gripping the nation after England’s incredible win, the Lancashire League fixtures also provided plenty of entertainment as games took place over the course of the weekend.
In Division One, Ramsbottom were victorious in their home match after picking up a six wicket victory over Norden at Acre Bottom.
Norden won the toss and decided to bat, but despite a score of 33 from opener Joe Humphreys, they weren’t able to post any other significant scores and were bowled all out for 149. Jon Fielding was the pick of the bowlers for Ramsbottom, taking figures of 5-29.
Ramsbottom reached their target with 11 overs to spare, as professional George Linde starred for his side, hitting 74 from 69 balls to help them end on 151-4 and earn the win.
Church came out on top away from home after they defeated Rochdale by three wickets at Redbrook.
Rochdale won the toss and decided to bat, but only Mikey Harling (44 not out), Abdullah Khan (24) and Jamie Roche (15) were able to reach double figures as they finished on 129-9 after 50 overs.
Church overcame a scare which saw them go from 125-4 to 125-7, with Levi Wolfenden top scoring with 36 as they reached their target with three wickets and 20 overs to spare, finishing on 131-7 to claim the win.
Accrington suffered a
defeat on their travels as they lost by five wickets against Clitheroe at Chatburn Road.
Accrington won the toss and decided to bat first, but only professional Karl Brown (77) and Kieran Grimshaw (44) managed to score major runs as the team finished on 177-9 after 50 overs.
Clitheroe reached their target with seven overs to spare, as opener Harry Lang finished unbeaten on 69 to help his side make 181-5 and condemn Accrington to defeat.
Elsewhere in Division One, Walden defeated Todmorden by six wickets, Burnley beat Crompton by 64 runs, and Lowerhouse earned an 82 run victory over Darwen.
In Division Two, Great Harwood were victorious away from home as they beat Bacup by 73 runs at Lanehead.
Great Harwood batted first after winning the toss, but it looked like Bacup had a good chance of chasing down the target after they were able to bowl their opponents out for 141.
Kasir Masood top scored for Great Harwood with 35, but Ben Lord took figures of 4-46 to give them a good chance of coming out on top.
It wasn’t to be though, as despite finding themselves 61-2 at one stage, a huge collapse saw Bacup bowled all out for 68, with the final seven batsmen only able to make three runs between them, meaning that Great Harwood were dominant winners.
Haslingden claimed bragging rights over local rivals Rawtenstall after a two wicket win at The CDM Windows Bentgate Cricket Ground.
Rawtenstall won the toss and decided to bat, but they struggled to perform and were bowled all out for 84, with only four batsmen reaching double figures.
Haslingden looked to be on course to winning when they were initially 54-2 and then 74-4 at one stage, but they then fell 84-8. It didn’t matter in the end, as professional Ernest Kemm top scored with 32 to help his side end on 88-8 and earn the two wicket win.
Enfield came out on top in their home game against Littleborough after earning a five wicket win at Dill Hall Lane. Littleborough were put into bat first and Enfield won the toss and decided to field, with Littleborough going from 142-6 to 147 all out.
Enfield reached their target with six overs to spare, as Patrick Swanney scored a half century to help his side end on 148-5 and earn the win.
Rishton suffered a defeat after they lost by 18 runs against Middleton at Towncroft. Middleton decided to bat first after winning the toss, finishing on 197-8 after their 50 overs, with Grant Jones top scoring on 61.
Rishton pushed their opponents close in reply after good efforts from professional Mansoor Amjad (79) and Bradley Boddie (57), but none of their teammates were able to reach double figures and they were bowled all out for 179, handing Middleton the win.
Milnrow were defeated in their away game as they were beaten by eight wickets against Colne at the Horsfield.
Milnrow batted first after winning the toss, but only Aaron Brown (71) and Keelan Shipley (25) reached double figures as the team collapsed from 113-5 to 141 all out.
Colne needed just 31 overs to reach their target, finishing on 143-2 to pick up the dominant win. Elsewhere in Division Two, East Lancashire defeated Nelson by 32 runs at Alexandra Meadows.