HASLINGDEN turned on the style to pile on the runs as they made it two wins from two at the start of the Foster’s Lancashire League season, while reigning champions Accrington were stunned by East Lancashire.
Still waiting on the arrival of professional Brenton Parchment, Haslingden borrowed ex-Rishton ace Dan Salpietro for the showdown with Church.
But it was two amateurs who led the way from the top of the order with the bat as Graham Knowles hit a fine 60 while skipper Phill Hayes made 39.
Jack Taylor then teed-off on his way to an exhilerating 52 not out to help Haslingden post a daunting 247-7.
Church chased down 250-plus last weekend when they beat Lowerhouse but despite the efforts of Lloyd Aspin (45), Levi Wolfenden (44) and Craig Ferguson (42) they closed on 211-9 with Salpietro claiming four wickets.
Accrington pro Ockert Erasmus collided with his old East Lancashire team-mates and he was left disappointed as Mark Bolton’s men made it two wins from two.
Chris Riley’s 43 was the mainstay of the East Lancashire innings, while Dan Lord hit 24 and East Lancashire got up to 168-9 with Erasmus using his inside knowledge of their batsmen to claim three wickets.
Graham Lloyd led the way in the Accrington reply with 39 but they were missing a telling contribution from elsewhere and Shahrukh Khan, who began his career at Accrington before moving to Enfield and Edenfield, claimed four wickets as the hosts were bowled out.
Rawtenstall also impressed as they upset Lowerhouse.
Danny Barlow top scored with 43 in a game that didn’t start until 2.55pm and Brett Pelser made 32 with Rawtenstall posting 133-9 from 33 overs.
Pelser then claimed five wickets to leave the House struggling and despite 48 from Chris Bleazard and 20 from Jonathan Finch, who had earlier claimed three wickets, they were on 94-8 when the rain ended the contest with Lowerhouse behind the rate.
Queensland quick Michael Neser claimed six wickets and then hit 76 not out as Todmorden beat Burnley at Centre Vale.
Michael Brown made a classy 63 and Dan Pickup’s 40 and 38 from Steve Brunt helped Burnley post 194-7 with Neser picking up 6-48.
Todmorden’s target was reduced to 185 from 47 overs and it was Neser who led them home.
Bacup celebrated a win over Colne after the Horsfield outfit struggled with the bat.
Khurram Nazir top scored with 24 as they made 109-9 before skipper Matt Thompson led Bacup home.
Enfield were dismissive of Rishton as they coasted to a big win. Hasan Fazal’s five-wicket haul say Rishton bowled out for 130 before Liam Bedford hit 42 and professional Werner Coetsee 31 not out in an eight-wicket win.
And Ramsbottom claimed a first win of the season as Jonathan Fielding top scored with 42 in the win at Nelson.
Fielding and Tom Parton (31) helped Rammy to 154-7 before Daryn Smit and Mike Haslam both claimed three wickets with Nelson slipping to 94 all out.
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