Redbrook draw

LANCASHIRE LEAGUE CRICKET ROUND-UP

THE Lancashire League season continues to go from strength to strength, with another weekend full of action-packed matches.

In Division One, Rochdale and Ramsbottom played out an entertaining match at Redbrook after their match was tied on the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Rochdale won the toss and decided to field first, with Ramsbottom bowled all out for 143 after Tom Parton top scored on 58.

Steven Oddy ended with figures of 5-42 for Rochdale, passing 150 wickets in Lancashire League matches in the process.

Rochdale were given a reduced target of 64 runs in 23 overs due to the weather, but they ended on 63-3 at the close of play and the match was drawn.

Accrington came out on top against local rivals Church after a five wicket victory at Blackburn Road. Accrington won the toss and decided to field, and managed to bowl Church all out for just 103, with Joel Gaskill bowled all out for 29.

Jake Clarke was the pick of the bowlers for Accrington, finishing with figures of 5-22. Accrington reached with target after an unbeaten 49 from professional Karl Brown, with the team ending on 107-5 in 38 overs to earn the victory.

Norden came up short in a match at Turf Moor after they were beaten by seven wickets against Burnley.

Norden were put into bat first and could only end on 91-9 after their 50 overs, with Greg Butterworth top scoring on 29. Burnley eased to their target, reaching 94-3 in just 25 overs to earn a dominant victory.

Elsewhere in Division One, Todmorden picked up a 10 run victory over Clitheroe at Chatburn

Road, Lowerhouse defeated Crompton by nine wickets on the Duckworth/Leewis method at Glebe Street, while Walsden and Darwen ended in a no result at Scott Street.

In Division Two, Bacup claimed bragging rights against neighbours Rawtenstall after a 25 run win on the Duckworth/Lewis method at Lanehead.

Bacup won the toss and decided to make first use of the wicket. Gansler departed early but then opening batsman Newbitt and professional Serasinghe put on 114 for the second wicket. Newbitt made 63 and Serasinghe 79. Serasinghe departed to Rawtenstall professional van Wyngaardt when looking well set. In taking 4 for 60 the Rawtenstall pro caused a mid order collapse. However, an eighth wicket partnership of 48 between Bradford (30 not out) and Ben Lord (27) pushed Bacup’s score up to an impressive 258 for 8 in their 50 overs.

In reply Rawtenstall had made 98 for 3 from 26 overs when rain brought a premature end to proceedings. On the DLS system Rawtenstall were 25 runs short of the target and therefore picked up 3 batting bonus points whilst Bacup picked up 10 points for the win.

With 417 runs at an average of just under 70 Serasinghe is currently the top run scorer in the division. He has also picked up 25 wickets at only 10.68 apiece. Meanwhile, Bacup’s current leading amateur batsman is Newbitt with 229 runs at 32.71 whilst on the bowling front Ben Lord has 17 wickets at 19.64.

Down at The Worswick Memorial Ground the second eleven had Rawtenstall in trouble at 92 for 7 before an excellent eighth wicket partnership of 72 between F. Aziz (52) and R. Ashram (39 not out) took the home side to 216 all out. Shepherd and Holt took three wickets apiece but the stand out ●● Karl Brown bowler was George Sumner who took a miserly 1 for 10 in his seven overs.

Bacup’s response never really got off the ground as they collapsed to 61 for 6. Veteran Knights with 52 not out and some hearty blows from Shepherd (31) gave the Bacup score some respectability as they were bowled out for 151.

Rawtenstall picked up the maximum 12 points