Norden pro out
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.
Meanwhile, Norden professional Jake Sandham will miss Sunday’s home match against Lowerhouse.
He has been advised to rest a knee injury received last weekend.
The search for a standin started in midweek, but at the time of writing nothing had been agreed.
Sandham hit an unbeaten 75 as Norden beat Garstang in the Lancashire knockout on Sunday.
Stags will now travel to Netherfield for a semifinal on 4 August.
The other semi will be between trophy holders Darwen and Horwich RMI.
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, Bacup entertained next to bottom of the table Great Harwood in the hope of getting back to winning ways in Division Two.
Harwood won the toss and elected to make first use of the wicket.
Serasinghe bowled very tightly in taking 3 for 20 from his 15 overs whilst Ben Lord was again in the wickets with 4 for 46.
Wickets fell at regular intervals as the away team found themselves in trouble at 75 for 6.
However, thanks largely to Masood with 37, they rallied to post a total of 141 in 42.2 overs.
This was a total which should have been easily chased down. At 36 for 0 and then 61 for 2 there didn’t appear to be too many problems ahead.
However, it was the introduction of slow left armer Newton which changed the game around.
Bacup imploded, losing 8 wickets for only 7 runs in a disastrous collapse to 68 all out. Newton picked up 6 for 13 whilst Great Harwood professional de Silva weighed in with 4 for 34.
This was an abject display and certainly Bacup’s worst performance of the season as they dropped down to mid table.
It was better news at The Cliffe where Bacup 2nd XL travelled to take on their counterparts.
Great Harwood elected to bat and made 159 all out. Josh Holt was again in the wickets picking up 5 for 30 with Dom Boardman taking 4 for 45.
It was an excellent chase with Bacup winning by 3 wickets after making 162 for 7, getting over the line with 11 overs to spare.
Skipper John Syers dominated the innings with 56, whilst Highley with 32 and Knights with 24 not out also helped to see Bacup home.
The third eleven were host to unbeaten league leaders Walsden and, despite being second in the table themselves, were no match for the highly experienced outfit.
Bacup elected to bat first, but could only make 117 all out with Charlie Gansler in the runs with a well constructed 50. Unfortunately he was offered little assistance by his team mates.
Walsden ran out easy winners on 119 for 2 to continue their unbeaten run. Niall Boardman was the pick of the Bacup bowlers with 2 for 16.
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