Cook-Martin hits winning century

CRICKET ROUND-UP SHELDAN KEAY

WHILE the Lancashire League may have been rained off, there was something to cheer about during the weekend as some of the local sides were victorious in the second round of the LCB Cup.

Haslingden managed to progress in the competition after they picked up a five-wicket win at Leigh.

It was Leigh who batted first, making a decent score and finishing on 239-5 at the end of their innings.

Haslingden had Chris Cook-Martin to thank for helping them come out on top though, as he top scored with 120.

Professional Nick Benton also contributed with an unbeaten 63 as Haslingden successfully chased down the target and book a place in the third round against Ormskirk at the CDM Windows Bentgate Cricket Ground on Sunday 2 July.

Ramsbottom are through to the third round as well after they defeated Crompton by six wickets at Acre Bottom.

Matt Burkdaky took figures of 3-17 for Ramsbottom to help dismiss Crompton for 134, before professional Grant Thomson (41), Dale Gabriel (25 not out), Will Turner (20) and Brad Fielding (16 not out) all contributed with the bat for the hosts to help them come out on top.

Ramsbottom are now set to be at home again in the next round when they face off against Bootle.

Ramsbottom were also victorious in the Twenty20 competition last Friday, as they picked up a hard-fought six-run win against East Lancashire.

Ramsbottom finished on 149-5 at the end of their 20 overs, but East Lancs could only end on 143-7 in reply and therefore fell short of their target, handing Ramsbottom the win.

Bacup were triumphant in their T20 game as well when they earned a 28 run win against Great Harwood at Lanehead.

Bacup were put into bat first by their opponents, and finished on 102-6 at the end of their 20 overs.

It seemed like a target Great Harwood would be able to chase down, but instead they were bowled all out for just 74, with Ernest Kemm finishing with impressive figures of 4-5 as Bacup came out on top.

It wasn’t a clean sweep of wins for the local sides though, as Haslingden were defeated by eight wickets against Citheroe.

It came on a weekend where just six balls were bowled over the entire Lancashire League round of fixtures, with Haslingden versus Enfield, Darwen versus Ramsbottom, Rawtenstall versus Church and Todmorden versus Bacup all abandoned.

In the Ribblesdale League, Stacksteads’ game against Barnoldswick was rained off.

This Saturday Stacksteads are at home to Padiham Seconds on Saturday and away to Whalley seconds in the Lawrenson Cup on Sunday. Haslingden batsman Chris Cook-Martin