NEW professionals Shane Lee and Corrie Jordaan were the toast of Enfield and Lowerhouse yesterday, as the EW Cartons Lancashire League got off to a red-hot start in ice-cool temperatures.

Enfield's Australian Lee hammered a best-of-the-day 127 not out as Bacup were blitzed at Dill Hall Lane, while Lowerhouse's South African star Corrie Jordaan spun his way to a 9-59 return in victory at Church.

East Lancs got off to a flyer, skittling Nelson for 56 and there was an opening day win for defending champions Rishton at Rawtenstall.

Colne defeated Todmorden, though record-breaker Ben Johnson managed only 33, modest by his standards.

And Burnley and Haslingden began with a tie! Rudra Singh deputised as professional for his former club Burnley and took 8-62.

Pre-season favourites East Lancs were quick out of the blocks with a stunning victory over Nelson.

Professional Billy Stelling took four wickets as the visitors were cleaned out for 56.

Only a late revival prevented further embarrassment, Nelson recovering from 28-7.

Nelson sub professional Jo Grant, last year's paid man at Padiham, failed to make the same impression on the home batting, Stelling and Mark Lomas steadying the ship on a slow track after a shaky start.

Rishton looked to be in deep trouble, chasing a modest total at Rawtenstall.

But man of the match John Seedle, who hit an unbeaten 61 including seven fours and two sixes, dug them out of a hole. Seedle had earlier taken four for 32 to restrict Rawtenstall to 135 for eight. Jamie Carter scored an excellent 44 and Jon Dobson held a couple of superb catches.

But, with their reply standing at 13 for four and South African sub-professional Paul Rayment back in the pavilion, the champions looked in a mess. Seedle, ably assisted by Andrew Bartley (22) and Stuart Roberts (27 not out), came to the rescue and steered them to 137 for six.

Enfield professional Shane Lee announced his arrival on the league scene with a blistering batting display against Bacup, whose new professional James Peterson contributed 72 to a total of 208 for five at Dill Hall Lane.

Peterson took eight fours and two sixes off an Enfield attack in which Neil Holmes (4-45) shone. But hopes that a useful score would be enough were soon shattered by Lee.

The Australian was simply unstoppable as he clattered an unbeaten 127, his century coming from just 95 balls. Altogether, Lee faced 121 deliveries and hammered 15 fours and five sixes as Enfield romped to 212 for four.

Another newcomer, South African Corrie Jordaan, made a sensational start for Lowerhouse in their win at Church.

The home team seemed to be coasting at 110 for one with bags of overs left, Alec Holt contributing 58. But, suddenly, everything started to go right for slow left armer Jordaan and Church were bundled out for 166 with the professional finishing with a startling 9-59.

Nick Hope (52) led the Lowerhouse replay and their was a classy contribution from Stan Heaton (41) as they timed their assault to perfection, winning in the penultimate over with five wickets to spare.

Andy Roberts outshone Ben Johnson at The Horsfield, rattling up a first-day half-century and it provided the backbone of his team's respectable 184 for eight against Todmorden. Ibra Ali was Todmorden's most successful bowler, picking up four wickets in his nine-over stint, but they couldn't claim the bonus point.

Todmorden's reply began badly when they lost both openers cheaply but new professional Frans Cronje (46) provided stubborn resistance until he became one of three cheap victims for Kevin Cullen.

Removing the pro was the decisive blow for Colne who restricted Todmorden to 134 but were denied the bonus point by a dogged last-wicket partnership.

A great game at Turf Moor saw a host of outstanding individual performances and drama right to the last over as Burnley and Haslingden claimed two points apiece from a tie and the bowling bonus.

Haslingden's new signing Steve Dearden made a good start with his first half-century for the club and, considering Haslingden posted a formidable 220, Rudra Singh did well to grab the bonus for Burnley with his 8-62 return.

There were also five catches for young Michael Brown.

Burnley's reply looked to be in trouble but Tushar Mahambrey (46) and Nasir Mahmood (55) steered them back into the driving seat.

The last pair needed two to win, one to tie with time running out. A spilled catch brought the scores level but Mark Griffin held onto a chance from the next delivery to clinch the tie.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.