CHURCH made it three wins out of three as they won the battle of the unbeaten sides in Group Two of the Lancashire League’s President’s Cup.
Captain Levi Wolfenden, 70, and Stuart Crabtree, 62, led the way as they posted 227-6 batting first.
Both men had no problem finding the boundary with Wolfenden hitting four fours and three sixes in his better-than-a-run-a-ball knock while Crabtree also hit four fours and cleared the rope twice.
Ben Makin took 3-54 for Accrington who saw their target changed to 176 in the rain-affected game.
They reached 115-6, Wolfenden continuing his impressive day with 2-12.
Danny Armstrong top-scored with a quick-fire 48 from just 29 balls which included three maximums.
Elsewhere in Group Two, Rishton captain Brad Boddie led the way for his side with a half century as they posted 123-9 against Enfield.
The visitors got home with time to spare though, winning by eight wickets thanks in the main to Lewis Wright’s 53.
Ben Finch was the star performer as East Lancashire got off the mark with victory over Great Harwood.
He took 5-42 as Great Harwood came up 15 runs short chasing East Lancs’ 159 all out, John Turner also making 55.
Kieren Grimshaw continued his excellent start to the summer as Ramsbottom kept up their perfect record against Middleton.
Rammy were dismissed for 154 with Grimshaw coming up one short of a half century but his day was far from done.
He recorded a hat-trick as he took six wickets for just three runs, Middleton losing their last eight wickets for eight runs.
Professional James Price lacked support, making 55 having earlier taken 4-31.
Burnley are off the mark after a seven-wicket Turf Moor win over winless Norden.
There were three wickets apiece for Tom Lawson and Chris Holt as the visitors were all out for 91.
Ockert Erasmus was the match-winner for the hosts, finishing not out on 46.
Clitheroe are unbeaten at the top of Group Three after a convincing victory over Nelson who still looking to record their first President’s Cup victory.
Ali Ross made 64 of Clitheroe’s 186 all out and Nelson fell well short, all out for 81 as Cole Hayman took 3-26.
Haslingden and Rawtenstall have both won two of their three games in the same group.
The former got the better of Colne on Sunday, posting 192-6 batting first as Chris Walton took 4-14.
Garry Sudworth recorded even better figures to hand Haslingden a 74-run victory, his 4-7 seeing Colne all out for 118.
Matt Kershaw laid the platform for Rawtenstall’s victory over Bacup. His unbeaten 75 was the mainstay of his side’s 230-6. Keith Roscoe then led the way with the ball with 4-35 as Bacup were all out for 174.
Walsden are out in front in group four with a perfect hat-trick of victories.
Their latest one came in a 31-run victory over Rochdale, Joe Gale top scoring with 33 as they were dismissed for 147, Muhmed Khan taking 3-23.
Khan then made exactly 50 but couldn’t help his side over the line as they finished on 116-8, Gale another man to have a good all-round day with 3-18.
Darwen’s 178-9 was enough for a big win over Crompton.
Captain Scott Friend top scored with 34 and it proved to be more than enough, Dave Bowden and Reece Davies both taking three wickets as the visitors were all out for 69.
Like Darwen, Lowerhouse have won two of their three matches after cruising to victory over Todmorden.
Todmorden were dismissed for 129 with the visitors making light work of the target, openers Peter Whitehead, 68, and Paddy Martin, 47, seeing them to a 10-wicket victory.
It completed a fine day for Martin who had earlier taken 3-17.
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