Rammy exit

men passed double figures, while four of them failed to score a single run, meaning they finished their innings on 138-9.

Todmorden lost wickets in their reply but were still scoring runs at a fast rate, with professional Kelly Smuts top scoring with 52 as his side ended on 139-7 after 35 overs to condemn Rawtenstall to defeat.

HASLINGDEN were also beaten after they lost by 69 runs against Worsley Cup finalists Darwen at Bentgate. Darwen batted first, and finished on 214-8 after good scores from Ammer Mirza (73) and Mark Friend (48).

Haslingden’s response was poor, with only opener Graham Knowles (54) and Damion Keegan (25) reached double figures.

The remaining nine batsmen managed just 39 runs between them, with Haslingden bowled all out for 145 and Darwen earning the win.

Elsewhere in the Lancashire League, Accrington’s Worsley Cup heartbreak wasn’t made any easier as they also suffered a 75 run defeat to Lowerhouse at Liverpool Road.

Lowerhouse were put into bat first after Accrington won the toss, but the home side still managed to post a good score. They ended their innings on 252-5, with professional Ockert Erasmus (62) and Ben Heap (55) both reaching their half centuries.

Accrington got off to a good start when opener Graeme Sneddon hit 80, helping the team to 140-1 at one stage.

They soon collapsed though, with only one of the final seven batsmen reaching double figures and they were bowled all out for 177.

While Church won in the Worsley Cup semifinal, they couldn’t repeat those heroics in the Lancashire League after a crushing 10 wicket defeat to Clitheroe. Church were put into bat first, and an extremely poor batting display saw only Francis Kinsella (13) reach double figures.

Six players failed to score a single run, with Church bowled all out for 34 after just 13 overs.

It was an easy run chase for Clitheroe, as Charlie Dewhurst (21 not out) and Ali Ross (nine not out) reached their team’s target after just seven overs without losing a wicket.