BIG-hitting West Indian all-rounder Ben Johnson punctured Nelson's dreams of a league and cup double as Crompton lifted the Inter League Cup for the first time at Seedhill yesterday.

Johnson deservedly picked up the man-of-the-match award after thrashing an unbeaten 59 before then bagging 3-39 as the Central Lancashire League outfit won by 12 runs.

The fireworks started when Johnson entered the fray at 109-3. He smashed four giant sixes and three fours in a quick-fire half-century as Crompton piled on the runs and the agony in the latter stages of their allotted 45 overs to finish on 210-5 at the close. That target was always going to ask serious questions of the home side but a superb second wicket stand of 71 between Craig Walton (36) and Roger Harper put them back in contention before Johnson worked his magic again, picking up the wickets of Walton - off his first ball - and the prized scalp of Harper (74) as Nelson slumped to 162-6. And despite a late flurry from Marcus Phelan (25 not out), they only managed 10 of the 23 runs needed off the final over to finish on 198-9.

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