Lancashire League round-up (Saturday)

HASLINGDEN professional Hamish Anthony was the hero as he picked up a hat-trick in his side's win over Bacup at Bentgate.

Anthony snapped up the last three wickets of Terry Lord, David Ormerod and David Warren to achieve his feat, in a match haul of 5-11, as the visitors crumbled to 98 all out.

Only professional Brad White made any real impact with a stubborn 40.

Haslingden found life difficult in reply, losing wickets at regular intervals.

But Anthony (26 no) provided a few fireworks when he arrived at the middle and eventually guided his side to a five wicket win, as they finished on 100-5.

Ian Harvey made his mark on the league with a superb all-round performance to guide Ramsbottom to an eight-wicket win over Rawtenstall.

The Australian took 8-32 from 18.2 overs to skittle the home side out for 105 after they had won the toss.

And he then hit an unbeaten 82 to guide his side to a first victory of the season which he sealed with a cut six off Richard Wood.

The Victorian all-rounder varied his pace to great effect as only Rawtenstall opener John Hall and young middle order man Adam Wilson, who later got a blow in the eye when attempting to stop a Harvey cover drive, reached double figures. However, the prize wicket fell to Michael Haslam as he removed in-form professional Keith Arthurton for just one as he mis-timed a drive to skipper Ian Bell at mid-on.

Bell then perished early in Ramsbottom's reply but Harvey played his way into form and familiarised himself with English conditions with 82 from just 73 balls with 11 fours and three sixes.

East Lancs cruised to an easy eight wicket victory over Burnley at Alexandra Meadows thanks to the bowling efforts of veteran Ian Haworth and professional Brad Young.

A 12 over spell by Young of 2-4 put the brakes on the visitors in the early stages of their innings and they were 31-3 at the halfway mark.

Only professional Anthony Botha (32) and Ian Whitehead (35) showed any application as Burnley were finally dismissed for 116 in the 54th over.

Haworth finished with an impressive haul of 5-24 and Young grabbed 4-32.

East Lancs got their run chase off to an ideal start as openers David Pearson (23) and Phil Bolton (26) put on 54 for the first wicket. Young (38 no) and skipper Mark Lomas (21 no) then saw the Blackburn side home, winning the game with a six off Michael Brown's first ball, with nearly 10 overs to spare.

Todmorden professional Vasbert Drakes's efforts were all in vain as his side were beaten by Church at Blackburn Road.

Drakes bowled with real fire to rip through the Church middle order to claim 7-49.

But a late rally from skipper Pete Gilrane (40 no) took his side to 132 before Drakes blew away the tail.

Some outstanding bowling from Mark Aspin (3-17) soon had the Todmorden top order in trouble.

And despite a brief recovery from David Whitehead (23) and Mark Clayton (20) the visitors were skittled for 90, with Neil McGarrell taking 3-30 and Nick Westwell 3-8.

Enfield had to settle for a draw in their match at Colne, despite rattling up 192-8 off their 55 overs.

Russell Edmonds lead the way with a stylish 60, ably supported by Tofeeq Khan's 38 and a typically quickfire 50 from professional Otis Gibson. Joe Scuderi was the pick of the Colne attack with 4-44, backed up by Nick Moulding's 3-52. David Bracewell struck two early blows to remove openers Andy Clark and Colin Varley but Scuderi (28) and Justin Nutter (28) staged a recovery.

Wickets continued to tumble but Enfield had to settle for a bonus bowling point as Colne staggered to 118-6, Bracewell claiming 3-32, as the match ended in a stalemate.

Accrington were routed by Nelson at Thorneyholme Road with Danny Kegg (6-21) ripping the heart out of the home side's batting.

Only two batsmen made double figures as Accrington were rolled over for 52, professional Roger Harper proving as difficult as ever to face with figures of 3-15 from nearly 20 overs.

Nelson made short work of their target, needing just 14 overs to wrap up a convincing victory with Trevor Kegg (31 not out) leading the way.

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