A bright and pleasant Saturday meant that the second week of the Conference Premiership would commence without the need for Duckworth Lewis, writes Ray Taylor.

The day’s highest score came at the Noyna Rock Ground, where Astley Bridge visited Foulridge 1sts. After winning the toss, Foulridge elected to bat where they scored 274 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Rashid Rasheed (81) and Faisal Mehmood (55 not out) both knocked up half-centuries for the hosts, despite Hashim Akhtar’s 4-52. In reply, Astley Bridge were bowled out for just 93 with Alex Lowe top-scoring with 31.

A close game at the Nori Arena resulted in a three-wicket win for visitors, Farnworth Social Circle where they faced Read. Batting first, the hosts were bowled out for a respectable 210, with Elliot Lowes scoring 83, and Farnworth SC bowler, Lucas Glover taking 5-56. In reply, the visitors scored 215-7 with just three balls left with Chris Walsh top-scoring with 63.

After being bowled out for 65 last week, Ribblesdale Wanderers were dismissed for 146 against Cherry Tree with captain, Travis Blezard top scoring with an unbeaten 40 and Cherry Tree bowler, Joseph Ince taking 4-45. Cherry Tree was bowled out for just 90, with Blezard taking 5-22.

In another close game, Salesbury visited Burnley Belvedere 2nds. Burnley was bowled out for 115, with Ali Zar (45) and Faqir Mohammad (44) being the only players to get double figures, after Sam Bristol took 5-58. In reply, Salesbury were bowled out for just 101, with Jack Stones top-scoring with 38, after Faqir Mohammad took 5-47.

The final game occurred at the Bull Holme Oval where Farnworth visited Barrowford’s 1sts. Batting first, Farnworth was bowled out for 121, with Aaqib Javed top-scoring with 43, after Imran Karim shined with the ball, taking 6-16 off just 6.1 overs. Barrowford was then bowled out for just 102, with Aziz Iqbal top-scoring with 39, after Simon Harrison took an impressive 6-19.

In the Second Division, Richard Green was Barnoldswick’s top scorer with 68 out of his team’s 302-9, Ian Nuttall taking 4-59 for Atherton, who were then dismissed for 93, the last six wickets falling for six runs, Wasique Ali with 3-37 and Victor Sunil 3-12.

Hazzam Ali (5-36) and Syed Shah (3-40) helped bowl out Baxenden for 143, then Matthew Nattrass batting at number seven scored an unbeaten 42 to steer Feniscowles to a one wicket victory after Harry Hindle had taken 5-28.

Blackrod stumbled from 101-4 to 121 all out, Rohan Muhammed 3-25 and Waqas Pervez 3-18. However, this was sufficient for a seven run victory after Barrowford had recovered from 50-7. Lucas Stevenson recorded figures of 4-21 and Jacob Ashworth 3-56. Earby also staged a recovery, from 56-7 to 120 all out, Oliver Tuck taking 5-23 for Eagley. The Eagley innings went the other way, apparently cruising at 73-3 they were dismissed for 94, Tom Chapman taking 5-18 and Jason Lockley 3-38.

Yasar Khan recorded a half century for Burnley Beldevere in their 147 all out, Darren Parr 3-45 and Kishan Ram 3-26 for Lostock. Five wickets for 29 runs for Nazakat Mehmood helped ensure Lostock ended two runs adrift of their target.

Zameer Hussain took 6-34 and Muhammad Nadeem 3-28 as Brinscall were bowled out for 88, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel overtaking this for the loss of four wickets.

Padiham made the second highest total of the day, 296-6. Chris Swift and Jimmy Gray both made half centuries, Sarath Babu Foulridge’ leading wicket taker with 3-57. Foulridge make and excellent start Babu and Suneesh Sasidhairan with a century opening partnership. However Oliver Parker’s 6-29 helped ensure the innings ended just 51 runs later.

Tharsen Thayalan (4-38) and George Banks (3-44) were largely responsible for Walkden being bowled out for 178, but Imran Ali’s 6-35 caused Kearsley to be bowled out shortly after reaching three figures.

Sam Davies took 3-44 in Chatburn’s 153, then became the only player to reach double figures in Whalley’s 86 all out, Andrew Booth doing most of the damage with 5-38.