FOSTER’S Lancashire League champions Lowerhouse showed their ruthless streak on a day of celebration at the Neville Gee Recruitment Ground and made it 19 league wins on the spin as they hammered last year’s champions Accrington yesterday.
The House was rocking from the start on the day Charlie Cottam picked up the famous old trophy – and they ripped into Accrington from the off as they reduced Stuart Crabtree’s men to 7-3 with Matt Walker on fire with the ball.
And when Ockert Erasmus fell for a dozen it looked as though it was going to be an early finish.
Accrington did manage a minor fightback but were bowled out for 83 in fewer than 29 overs with Walker finishing with 5-29 from nine overs while returning hero Francois Haasbroek, who is playing the final two games as substitute professional, claimed 3-12 from his 12 overs.
Haasbroek, who had three years as House paid man and is now coaching in London, enjoyed his day back but didn’t get the chance to bat as Jonny Whitehead, who made 35 not out, and Walker (28 not out) saw them over the line in 16.2 overs to allow the party to start.
Ramsbottom also claimed some silverware yesterday as they guaranteed the Holland Cup for finishing runners-up as they beat Enfield with plenty to spare at Dill Hall Lane.
Just one point separated the sides going into the game but Netherfield professional Saliya Saman was the difference as he filled in with aplomb for Rammy.
Saman hit 104 as Ramsbottom piled up 261-4 with Callum Kay also impressing as he made 77 not out.
Saman, right, wasn’t settling for just his effort with the bat either.
He claimed three wickets, as did Michael Haslan, while Simon Read picked up four as Enfield had no answer and were all out for 95 after being 36-6 and 56-8.
Gary Keedy played his first Lancashire League game – but it was one to forget for the former Lancashire star as Nelson thumped his temporary side Rishton at Blackburn Road.
Ryan Canning’s 61 and 46 from Toxy Hussain were the mainstays of Nelson’s 217-8 with Keedy managing just one wicket.
And he had no answer with the bat as Sam Halstead claimed five wickets as Rishton were shot out for 76.
Keith Roscoe claimed six more wickets to add to his astonishing collection as Rawtenstall beat Colne at The Horsfield.
Roscoe now stands on a career tally of 1,615 wickets in the league as Colne were bowled out for 163.
They had been chasing Rawtenstall’s 206-9 with Brett Pelser making 62 and Sam Kershaw 47.
Matthew Klienveldt made a half-century as East Lancashire beat Bacup at Lanehead.
Bacup had made what appeared to be a testing 165 all out but Mark Bolton’s men cantered to a seven-wicket win with Kleinveldt leading the way.
Burnley were put to the sword by Church as they were well beaten at West End.
Burnley were bowled out for just 142 and any hopes they had of pulling off what would have been a shock win were soon dispelled.
Church were brilliant with the bat as Lloyd Aspin led the way.
He finished on 82 not out and smashed 22 off one over, while professional Usman Tariq was 44 not out as Church raced over the line in their final home game of the season with 31 overs and eight wickets to spare.
Brenton Parchment was at his brilliant best as Haslingden beat Todmorden in a game that ended in moonlight at Bentgate.
The Jamaican former West Indies Test man made a superb 114 not out as Hassy chased down Todmorden’s 221-6.
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