ENFIELD and Haslingden reached the semi-finals of the Inter League Challenge Trophy with the help of substitute professionals on Saturday.

It wasn't all plain sailing at Enfield where the home side had to call up former Great Harwood professional Farhan Adil from Nottingham after original choice Hasan Adan had informed the club that he would no longer be available.

A last minute dash resulted in Adil arriving after the game against Oldham had begun. Andy Barker made a timely return to form with an unbeaten 65 to put Enfield through.

The visitors made 188-6 with Paul Thompson hitting 75 and professional Johann Beukes 47. Imran Abid was Enfield's most successful bowler with 3-24.

The home side looked unsteady at 13-2 but the in-form Liam Jackson hit six boundaries in his 39 and Neil Holmes hit 44 in a fourth wicket stand of 61 with Barker after stand-in professional Adil had been dismissed for 7.

Enfield expect Martin Van Jaarsveld to be able to resume his professional duties in time for the semi-finals after the One Day Internationals have finished on July 13.

HASLINGDEN had a more comfortable passage into the semis with a 75-run win at Royton.

Wicketkeeper Andrew Smith smashed 60 in just 31 balls and substitute professional Ottis Gibson hit 56 with Steve Dearden chipping in with 44 as Haslingden piled up 264-8, the highest score of the day.

Dion Taljard hit 67 and professional Iqbal Iman 32, but the home side could not match the visitors' batting performance and they were bowled out for 189 with Tommy Read taking 4-33.

Rochdale captain John Henderson was the hero with both bat and ball as his side had a 117 run win at RAMSBOTTOM.

The current holders of the trophy were teetering at 63-4, but Henderson hit 36 and Mark Butterworth 38 to pull the unbeaten Central Lancashire League leaders out of trouble.

Henderson then took 5-10 in 5.4 overs as Ramsbottom crashed from 44-1 to 75 all out. Neil Avery removed home professional Jason Arnberger for 28 with Simon Read (16) and Brian Taylor (14) the only other Ramsbottom batsmen in double figures.

Crompton made the last four with a 43 run win at Heywood. Simon Wright (78) and Mel Whittle (52) put on 130 for the fourth wicket after professional Saeed Anwar had fallen to a superb caught and bowled off Robert Slawson for 18.

Johann Botha took 4-30 for Heywood. Gary Wilkinson hit 32 and Jonathan Shaw 27 for the home side who were bowled out for 146 with Mel Whittle taking 3-7 off 6 overs.

Enfield 189-5, Oldham 188-6:

Andy Barker 65 not out; Neil Holmes 44

Enfield beat Oldham by 5 wickets

Heywood 146, Crompton 189-7: Crompton beat Heywood by 43 runs

Ramsbottom 75, Rochdale 192-8:

Jason Arnberger 28, John Henderson 5-10

Rochdale beat Ramsbottom by 117 runs

Royton 189, Haslingden 264-8:

Ottis Gibson 56, Andrew Smith 60, Steve Dearden 44

Haslingden beat Royton by 75 runs