Tough start to Premier League life for Church
CHURCH’S tough start to life in the JW Lees Premier brought a six-wicket defeat at home to Todmorden last weekend.
The home side were all out for 96 having lost the toss and been asked to bat. Top scorer was professional Saif Zaib with 35. Harry Rickard (28no) and Ed Moore (48) guided the visitors home.
In Division 2, Accrington enjoyed a four-wicket win on the road at East Lancs. The home side won the toss and atted first, making 165 all out, Adithya Siriwardhana with 58 the best with the bat.
Emile Haratbar hit 43 and Ali Hasham 31 in Accrington’s successful response.
Great Harwood were beaten on home soil by Crompton, who won the toss and fielded first. GH made 102 all out, Ethan Houldsworth top scorer with 38. Crompton ran off the required tally in the 32nd over.
Bacup hosted Rishton who won the toss and asked the home team to bat. On a drying wicket, which offered plenty of assistance to the bowlers, Bacup were bowled out for only 119.
This score was largely due to the efforts of Lawrence Adlum, promoted to opener this season, who, in making 53, scored Bacup’s second amateur fifty of the season, after skipper Ben Lord’s fifty at Nelson last week. Only one amateur fifty was achieved in the whole of last season. Hopefully, this is a sign of things to come. Accrington professional Kieron Grimshaw took 3 for 12 and spinners Spartan and Hussain picked up five wickets between them.
In reply, Rishton didn’t offer any real resistance and we’re bowled out for only 64 with captain Ben Lord claiming 7 for 22, a personal best, and Khurana 3 for 31. This win takes Bacup to the top of the league with maximum points after two matches.
It was also slow scoring affair for the 2nd XL at Rishton. Batting first Bacup could only muster 121 for 8 in their 45 overs. This total was achieved largely due to the efforts of Tom Thompson (32) and Mohsin Iqbal, again in the runs with 26. Ryan Noon added a useful 12 not out at the end.
Rishton fell short being dismissed for 100 with Alex Shepherd taking 4 for 18 and Mohsin 3 for 14 as Bacup picked up maximum points and moved to fourth in the table.
Bacup’s First and Second Elevens departed their cup competitions.
On Saturday in The Worsley Cup Bacup entertained First Division Clitheroe and, after winning the toss, invited Clitheroe to bat.
Despite wet conditions the pitch played well as Clitheroe posted a very challenging total of 228 for 6 with their South African professional Koekemoer being the mainstay of their innings with a well compiled 99 not out.
Bacup fell well short in their reply on 127 all out, despite 59 from professional Chirag Khurana.
The 2nd XL also lost in their Junior Cup match at Clitheroe in a closely fought contest. After winning the toss and electing to bat first Bacup scored 206 for 7 with Mohsin Iqbal, on only his second appearance for the club, making a splendid 112. After a rain delay Clitheroe’s target was reduced to 169 from 32 overs which they achieved with just one over to spare.