LOCAL CRICKET: Van Jaarsveld celebrates with whirlwind ton

The South African all-rounder signed up for another year with the club last week and celebrated with an unbeaten 161, a seasonal best in the competition, as they took ten points from their visit to Rawtenstall.

The right-hander from Northern Transvaal reached his ton in 93 balls and achieved his final total off 130, belting 15 fours and seven sixes en route, as Enfield realised 205-4.

However, the visitors failed to maximise their points as Rawtenstall battled grimly to 157-9.

Haslingden also took ten points as their skipper and professional Ian Austin produced a stunning flurry with the bat at home to Nelson.

In a contest reduced to 33 overs, Nelson set 104-4 with their paid man Wade Wingfield notching 45, but Lancashire county player Austin followed his three wickets for 33 with an aggressive batting display.

He hammered eight fours and a six on his way to 53 off just 26 balls, Nelson bowler Martin Heap being the man to suffer as Austin hit him for 36 off his two overs, and Haslingden eased through to a six wicket success off just 16.5 overs.

Bacup's hopes of lifting the Transco Lancashire League title were given a boost when they registered a seven-wicket victory at Accrington yesterday.

Accrington started brightly with a 63-run opening partnership from Mus Ahmed and Wayne Roberts.

But then Bacup bowler Neil Wilkinson entered the fray.

His four wickets for just 37 runs instigated a collapse from the home side and visiting pro Shaun Young did his bit with four for 55.

And it was Young who starred with the bat -- after the early dismissal of Dominic Ayres -- hitting 65 in total. Bacup put 109 on for the second wicket which saw them through with seven overs to spare.

Eleven fours and a six from professional Brad Hodge helped Ramsbottom to a six-wicket victory over Colne.

Play didn't start until 3.45pm and the game was reduced to 32 overs per side.

Colne opener Gary Hunt hit five fours and a six to reach 61 and professional Marcus North matched the boundary tally as he hit 42.

But it was Hodge's day as he stormed to 81 off 54 balls.

Colne's Neil Moulding took the wickets of both Simon Lord and Mark Dentith in just two ball but it wasn't enough to stop Ramsbottom.

East Lancs took 12 points from their home game with Church winning by 70 runs.

Phil Mercer, unbeaten on 68, was the mainstay of a total of 187-9 and in reply Church were ousted for 117 with East Lancs professional Brad Young claiming three for 19 runs.

Burnley's home meeting against Rishton fell victim to the weather. ENFIELD professional Martin Van Jaarsveld underlined his commitment to the Dill Hall Lane club with a stunning batting performance.

The South African all-rounder signed up for another year with the club last week and celebrated with an unbeaten 161 as they took ten points from their visit to Rawtenstall.

The right-hander from Northern Transvaal reached his ton in 93 balls and achieved his final total off 130, belting 15 fours and seven sixes en route, as Enfield realised 205-4.

However, the visitors failed to maximise their points as Rawtenstall battled grimly to 157-9.

And Rawtenstall were certainly riding their luck as they survived a big appeal for a stumping in the final overs.

Haslingden also took ten points as their skipper and professional Ian Austin produced a stunning flurry with the bat at home to Nelson.

In a contest reduced to 33 overs, Nelson set 104-4 with their paid man Wade Wingfield notching 45, but Lancashire county player Austin followed his three wickets for 33 with an aggressive batting display.

He hammered eight fours and a six on his way to 53 off just 26 balls, Nelson bowler Martin Heap being the man to suffer as Austin hit him for 36 off his two overs, and Haslingden eased through to a six wicket success off just 16.5 overs.

Bacup's hopes of lifting the Transco Lancashire League title were given a boost when they registered a seven-wicket victory at Accrington yesterday.

Accrington started brightly with a 63-run opening partnership from Mus Ahmed and Wayne Roberts.

But then Bacup bowler Neal Wilkinson entered the fray.

His four wickets for just 37 runs instigated a collapse from the home side and visiting pro Shaun Young did his bit with 4-55.

And it was Young who starred with the bat -- after the early dismissal of Dominic Ayres -- hitting 65 in total.

The league leaders put 109 on for the second wicket which saw them through with seven overs to spare. Eleven fours and a six from professional Brad Hodge helped Ramsbottom to a six-wicket victory over Colne.

Play didn't start until 3.45pm and the game was reduced to 32 overs per side.

Colne opener Gary Hunt hit five fours and a six to reach 61 and professional Marcus North matched the boundary tally as he hit 42. But it was Hodge's day as he stormed to 81 off 54 balls.

Colne's Neil Moulding took the wickets of both Simon Lord and Mark Dentith in just two ball but it wasn't enough to stop Ramsbottom.

Title chasing East Lancs kept the pressure on Bacup taking 12 points from their home game with Church winning by 70 runs. Phil Mercer, unbeaten on 68, was the mainstay of a total of 187-9 and in reply Church were ousted for 117 with East Lancs professional Brad Young claiming 3-19.

While most sides defied the rain with reduced over fixtures their was no joy at Turf Moor as Burnley's game against Rishton fell victim to the weather early in the day.