In the Rossendale League, Central and the holders Badgercote A will contest the final of the Johnson Team Handicap after unexpectedly comfortable passages in the semis.

Edenfield and Haslingden, in sharp contrast, both had narrow victories in their semis and will meet each other in the Steve Barton final.

Central, pushing Broadway A all the way for the Division One title, took time out to sweep aside Blackford Bridge B in the first Johnson semi, making light work of a concession of 179 and never allowing Bridge to settle as they finished well ahead by 43 at the end.

In the second semi Fearns B, receiving 76, made the best possible start by taking the opening game against Badgercote A after which there were only a couple of other bright spots in an otherwise comprehensive defeat as Badgercote powered through to a 105 point win. In the Steve Barton however, it was a totally different picture as both ties went to the wire although in sharply contrasting ways.

In the first Edenfield, conceding 146, were under immediate pressure as lowly Phoenix B took both the opening games but battled back splendidly to whittle away the deficit and scrape through by a single point.

In the other, Haslingden made absolutely no headway against Division Two's Badgercote B despite a massive concession of 216 until the final two games when a haul of 28-point doubled their total and turned an imminent defeat into a nine-point win.

Both finals will be played on Monday, March 15 at the Haslingden Leisure Centre starting at 8pm.

Results - Johnson Trophy: Central (scr) 270, Blackford Bridge B (179) 227; Fearns B (73) 163, Badgercote A (scr) 269.

Steve Barton Cup: Phoenix B (146) 256, Edenfield (scr) 257; Haslingden (216) 275, Badgercote B (scr) 266.

Division Two: Sports (254) 14, Waterbarn A (146) 4.

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