Worsley Cup round-up

RISHTON put up a tremendous fight at Haslingden before going down by just 11 runs as the first round Jennings Worsley Cup ties were completed last night.

They resumed at 87-4, chasing Haslingden's 224-2 with only half their overs remaining, and began positively with Paul Whalley (29), Stuart Roberts (21) and Jimmy Bibby (43) taking on the challange. Professional Corrie Jordaan thumped two sixes in his 19 before being run out - a crucial blow - and, as Haslingden chipped away, Rishton still wanted 11 off the final over with their last pair at the wicket.

Todmorden wrapped up a 32-run win over Rawtenstall as the visitors lost their last seven wickets for just 26 runs. The tie swung dramatically Todmorden's way when Vasbert Drakes had Keith Arthurton caught behind from the first ball he faced on the resumption.

Burnley had two players unavailable when they resumed at 125-4, chasing Lowerhouse's 209-4. So when they lost four more wickets after adding 38 runs, that signalled the end. Lowerhouse professional Matthew Mott did the damage, picking up three wickets last night.

Roger Harper steered Nelson into the quarter finals with a stylish half century against Church at Blackburn Road. The match was delicately poised before the start of play with Nelson on 30-3 chasing Church's 126 all out with Harper (7 no) and Trevor Kegg (7 no) at the wicket.

The pair added a further 52 before professional Neil McGarrell had Kegg stumped by wicketkeeper Alex Holt for 29 and he then bowled Marcus Phelan to reduce Nelson to 82-5. But Harper and Jason Warwick knuckled down putting on 43 for the sixth wicket before Warwick was run out for 21, three short of victory.

Colne won a dramatic match against Accrington in the last over at The Horsfield after resuming their innings on 109-4 chasing 152 with 8.3 overs left. Andy Roberts and Gary Hunt blasted 13 off Steve Juliff's next over to put Colne back up with the run rate. And needing two runs going into the final over, a leg bye and a single from Gary Hunt gave the home side victory with just four balls remaining.

The quarter final draw for the Worsley Cup: Colne v Nelson, Todmorden v Ramsbottom, East Lancs v Bacup, Lowerhouse v Haslingden.

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