RAMSBOTTOM'S New Zealand professional Chris Harris put on a one man show to blast Accrington in Saturday's (Aug 3) Lancashire League clash at Thorneyholme Road.

The gifted all-rounder was in unplayable form to claim an amazing 9 for 14 as the home side were sent packing for just 40.

A score that low should have proved a doddle for the Rams but they were made to battle all the way for their victory, losing six wickets in the chase as Tariq Hussein picked up 5 for 22.

It took a steadying 14 not out from Harris to see the Acre Bottom side home in just short of nineteen overs.

In the Bolton League, Greenmount picked up a maximum twenty points from their trip to Eagley.

The home side looked like running up a big score when professional Dirkie de Vos and Mike Ward put on a century partnership.

However, the Dunscar side lost their way somewhat and, though de Vos ended unbeaten on 88, they had to settle for a slightly disappointing 183 for 6 with Aussie Andy Downton leading the wicket-takers with 3 for 38.

Greenmount's New South Wales paid man Richard Chee Quee led the reply with 70 as the villagers reached the target with five wickets to spare and one over remaining.

Walshaw skipper Robin Faulkner returned to the side after injury couldn't stop his teammates falling to a dramatic last-ball Bolton Association defeat at the hands of Blackrod.

Faulkner top-scored with 43 of Walshaw's 160 for 8 total but the homesters just made it home with 164 for 7.

There was better news for Elton, who entertained Standish at Leigh Lane, and romped to an eight wicket win.

Gareth Williams (3 for 21) and Mark Billingham (3 for 24) did the damage as the Wiganers were sent skittling for 84.

An unbeaten 58 from professional Darron Foy led the way for the home side in their reply.

There were mixed fortunes for Manchester Association rivals Brooksbottoms and Bury with the Summerseat club having the best of it.

Skipper Julian Marcroft hit a sterling 50 as the Rowlands Road team set a target of 177 for 8 a total that proved too much for the Boltonians who finished on 161. Eddie Hoyle's 6 for 64 haul proved decisive.

Marcroft's Bury counterpart Nick Kennedy found the Radcliffe Road wicket to his liking hitting a superb 88 as his club amassed 183 against Flixton but he couldn't stop his side sliding to defeat as the visitors reached what was required for the loss of four wickets. Prestwich professional Graham Knowles led his side to a 110-run triumph with a classy 82 in their Lancashire County League encounter against Woodhouses.

Knowles' knock was the mainstay of the Heys Road club's innings and ably supported by skipper Steve Orrell (42) and Martin Hegg (30) they put on 193 for 8.

When the time came for Woodhouses to reply they found Andy Bradley (6 for 30) and Andy Nolan (3 for 39) in fine form as they were shot out for 83.

Chris Humphreys once again proved his worth to Woodbank when they made the trip to Longsight.

Humphreys took 6 wickets for 40 as the home side put on 192 for 8 then added 36 with the bat as he, Neil Holder (55) and Phil Lowthian (44) saw the Kenyons side home for the loss of six wickets.

Their were celebrations following Edenfield's Ribblesdale League clash at Cherry Tree but only because the home side had clinched the championship.

The villagers bowled out the home side for 184 then found themselves all back in the shed for a miserly 69 as the Blackburn club cruised to the title which is added to Ramsbottom Cup they won weeks earlier.

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