Church take over at the top of Division 2

CHURCH climbed into top spot in Division 2 of the Lancashire League and at the same time dealt a blow to Littleborough’s promotion hopes in a 67-run defeat at Hare Hill.

Having won the toss and opting to bat first, the visitors amassed 134 with Levi Wolfenden posting 32 runs as top scorer.

However, if that total appeared within Boro’s capabilities, Sagar Trivedi quickly proved otherwise and he took a hat-trick to help dimiss them for 67.

The Church professional took 6-39, polishing off the innings with a hat-trick to earn maximum points and take over from Haslingden at the top of the table. Andrew Bentley also took 3-8.

Haslingden dropped to second after failing to pick up maximum points in a 30-run win at Accrington.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Haslingden put together a reasonable tally of 201 from their 50 overs, pro Mini Bhada hitting 69.

Graeme Sneddon struck 53 in Accrington’s reply, but rain during reduced the target to 164 from 37 overs – they fell short, but did enough to deny Haslingden the full quota.

Thikshila de Silva was the stand-out player as he claimed five wickets and hit an unbeaten half century as Great Harwood picked up a five-wicket win at Rishton.

De Silva took 5-31 and Paul Newton p 4-37 to bowl Rishton out for 118.

Sajid Patel hit 23, Miya Lunat 22 and skipper Brad Boddie 20. De Silva hit an unbeaten 50 at a run a ball, including four fours and three sixes to help Great Harwood to a derby double in the 24th over.