POWERHOUSE professionals Wayne Madsen and Brendan Nash starred with magnificent centuries – but their ton-derful shows were not enough as both Rishton and East Lancs missed out on the 20/20 semi-finals.

Not that should detract from their stunning efforts as a big crowd at Blackburn Road witnessed a short form game that had to be seen to be believed.

Both derby rivals could have made it into the last four; neither did, that honour went to Church, Nelson, Burnley and Haslingden, who are all worthy of their places.

But, boy, they will have to go some to match the drama and eventual heartbreak of a game that produced 346 runs and two scintillating knocks from the pros.

First up was Rishton stand-in Madsen. The South African, pro smashed a quite incredible 118 not out as Rishton posted 177-4 from their 20 overs.

Reverse sweeps over the ropes, thunderous drives and powerful cuts were the order of Madsen’s knock as he hit three sixes and 16 fours from the 66 balls he faced and threatened to wear out the boundary celebration CD as he ensured the DJ earned his money.

Chris Lambert contributed a breezy 22 from a 68 opening stand but after that it was the Madsen show, highlighted by the unbroken 78 fifth-wicket stand which saw just nine come from Richard Rostron.

Surely such a mammoth target was mission impossible for East Lancs and as they made a measured start, it appeared they would fall well short.

But Nash is a class act. It goes without saying that anyone who bats at number six in Test matches is quality but with the required run rate creeping towards 12 an over, it seemed too much even for the Australian-born West Indian stylist.

However, blistering running between the wickets, coupled with some high class drives, saw him coast past 50 and then on he went.

It was a quality innings of ‘proper’ cricket shots and as he went past his ton, the unthinkable was on.

But in the end, Nash’s efforts, 109 not out from 70 balls with three sixes and eight fours, were in vain as East Lancs fell just eight runs short of an amazing win.

The win was scant consolation for Rishton. They missed out on the last four thanks to a run rate of just 0.39 shy of Burnley’s to send the stattos into pencil blunting fever pitch.

And last year’s 20/20 champions East Lancs, who would have topped Group A with a win, were left to reflect on what might have been.

“I would have swapped the ton for a first-baller if it had meant we got through,” groaned Nash.

“But what a game.”

Rishton
Madsen not out 118
C Lambert c Lomas b Nash 22
S Hacking b Patel 5
J Seedle b Patel 0
C Smith c Pearson b Sweeney 1
R Rostron not out 9
Extras 22
Total (4 wickets) 177

Bowling: Bolton 4 0 34 0, D Turner 4 0 27 0, Nash 4 1 35 1, Patel 4 0 18 2, Sweeney 2 0 23 1, Kelly 2 0 29 0

East Lancs
P Kelly b Wyse 9
Nash not out 109
AM Bisoodall c Rostron b Hamilton 14
J Turner b Hamilton 16
M Lomas c Wyse b Hutchinson 4
A Clague not out 1
Extras 17
Total (4 wickets) 169

Bowling: Wyse 4 0 28 1, Seedle 4 1 23 0, Rostron 4 0 43 0, Hamilton 4 0 22 2, Madsen 2 0 29 0, Hutchinson 2 0 17 1