THE Inter-League clash between the Lancashire League and the Central Lancashire League is delicately poised as play resumes at Middleton Cricket Club tonight (6.30pm).

Put into bat, the Central Lancs League set a formidable total of 189 from their 40 overs.

After an opening stand between Peter Deakin and Ken Howard of 36, Milnrow's Howard then led the charge, hammering eight 4s and one 6 in his 98-ball 69.

Werneth's John Punchard chipped in with 24 late on before he was run out as the Central Lancs League finally closed on 188-7.

East Lancs pair Phil Mooney (2-41) and Nasir Iqbal (1-19) were the pick of the seven bowlers used by skipper Jack Simpson of Haslingden.

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE

P Deakin b Iqbal ...22

K Howard st Simpson b Riley ...69

Q Rashid b Mooney ...20

T Gane b Mooney ...4

M Austin c Garaghty b Farooq ...12

J Punchard run out ...24

M Bucks run out run out ...8

S Brierley not out ...5

S Oddy not out ...0

Extras ...24

Total (7 wkts) ...188

Bowling: N Iqbal 8-1-19-1; J Hope 8-1-17-0; D Connolly 4-0-30-0; P Mooney 8-2-41-2; D Bracewell 5-0-24-0; K Farooq 2-0-9-1; N Riley 5-0-28-1.

EAST Lancs have been drawn at home to Bacup in the semi finals of the Lees Brewery Challenge Trophy.

In the other semi final Haslingden will entertain Rochdale at Bentgate. The ties are to be played on Saturday July 25.

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