THREE Lancashire League clubs are through to the quarter finals of the Lees Brewery Inter League Challenge beween Lancashire and Central Lancashire League clubs.

Lancashire League leaders Haslingden will lead the charge after a comfortable victory over Ashton.

Haslingden were set a challenging total of 217-6 but 54 from the dependable Jack Simpson safely steered his side home while Paul Blackledge, with 51 not out, and Mark Griffin, with 43 not out, provided first class support.

Nelson were also comfortable victors at Stockport.

Alan Dawson's men were bowled out for 159 - Richard Madden and Duncan Spencer, with 39 and 30 respectively - opposing professional Jaffa Qureshi with a fine return of 5-21.

But Stockport were skittled for 105 in reply, Peter Cockell collecting 3-23 and Martin Heap 3-22..

A magnificent second-wicket stand of 168 by Todmorden professional Frans Cronje and opener Richard Baigent was sufficient to overcome the Crompton target of 203-9.

Cronje hit an unbeaten 90, while Bagient contributed 78 as Todmorden paced their reply perfectly to get home with an over to spare and only three wickets down. Rawtenstall were able to make little impact in Littleborough's target of 217-3, skittled for 103, Jamie Carter top scoring with 28 while Ian Woods was 20 not out despite West Indian Hamish Anthony's 4-17 burst.

And Middleton enjoyed a comfortable win at Lowerhouse, visiting professional Jeremy Batty top-scoring with 49 and then picking up four victims.

Middleton comfortably negotiated the Lowerhouse target of 134 for the loss of four wickets.

Stan Heaton and professional Corrie Jordaan were the main Lowerhouse contributors.

Church crashed to an 81-run defeat against a powerful Walsden side who clocked up 267 - after being put into bat.

Church were always struggling to make headway in their reply.

Sub professional Nathan Astle provided the only genuine resistance with a gutsy 88 in Church's 186 all out.

Peter Brown's powerful 85 was in vain as Milnrow claimed the tie at Turf Moor.

Former Lancashire spinner Dexter Fitton scored 50 for Milnrow who reached 206 for 8 - but Burnley were left 24 runs adrift at the finish.

Burnley's Chris Wright turned in a fine bowling return of 6 for 38 from an impressive nine over spell.

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