Seconds clear at top after Ladyhouse win

THE undefeated Haslingden Second XI took on Milnrow 2nds at Ladyhouse on Sunday with a view to maintaining their position at the top of the table.

Haslingden captain Tom Richards won the toss and, taking into account the weather forecast, he asked Milnrow to bat first.

After the opening spells by Tom Horrocks and Oliver Cameron at 14 overs Milnrow had reached 51 for 5 wickets with Oliver Cameron being unfortunate to have only taken three of those wickets.

Joseph Blomley bowled well and took two wickets in his opening three overs but Milnrow’s top scorer Emerson Witworth took a liking to his bowling in his fourth over.

Niall Clarke bowled Witworth for 26 in his fourth over to take his first Second XI wicket.

Milnrow were bowled out for 111 in 33.5 overs. Oliver Cameron took 4 for 27 runs in 8.5 overs, and he was ably supported by Tom Horrocks who took 2 for 28 runs in his 9 overs and Joseph Blomley with 2 for 24 runs in his 4 overs.

Nathan Thornton and Jeff Stanton opened the batting for Haslingden and took the score to 19 before Thornton was run out in the 10th over.

There was a rain delay after 13.2 overs when three overs were lost and Haslingden were set a revised target of 103.

Stanton anchored the majority of the innings before he was bowled for 29 with the score on 89 in the 33rd over.

Tom Horrocks batted sensibly and was 28 not out at the end to see Haslingden home after 37 overs.

So it was twelve points to Haslingden who remain top of the table 24 points clear of Church in second place.