THE Lancashire League enjoyed a day to remember on Saturday as no fewer than eleven clubs recorded victories over their Central Lancashire League counterparts in the first round of the Inter League Challenge Trophy.
Burnley hit the top score of the day, making 311-4 in a 113 run win at Oldham. Professional Jonathon Harvey hit an unbeaten 168, his best score for the club. Jamie Capstick then took four wickets in Burnley's first win of the season.
Another club tasting success for the first time in 206 were East Lancs who beat league leaders Walsden by 12 runs. Phil Mercer marked his comeback with a top score of 47 in East Lancs' 189-5 and then Sid Patel starred with the ball, taking three wickets.
Chris Cairns smashed an unbeaten 83 after taking three wickets in Bacup's six wicket win over Crompton at Lanehead. The New Zealander hit 10 fours and three sixes in another powerful display.
Nishit Shetty again proved to be Accrington's match winner at Norden. The Indian hit an unbeaten century, adding 167 with Adam Wilson (53) after David Ormerod had picked up three wickets in Norden's 165-7.
Nelson skipper Mike Bradley eased his side's nerves with a match winning boundary. Wickets tumbled in a mini collapse after youngsters David Crotty (70) and Neil Thompson (57) had put Nelson in a commanding position against Middleton.
Rawtenstall made it through at Ashton by just three runs after an impressive stand between Chris Cook-Martin (65) and John Hayman (41) had seen the visitors to 176-4.
Ramsbottom scraped through against Heywood after a 17-over thrash had seen both sides finish on 94. Phil Hayes (48) and Alex Bell (38) saw Ramsbottom home by losing fewer wickets after their side had tumbled to 15-4.
Haslingden earned a 38-run win at Radcliffe thanks to a fine all round performance by Lewis McIntosh. The young all rounder top scored with 31 and he then snapped up 4-24.
Church had the better of Milnrow after bowling out the visitors for 105 and Enfield beat Royton at Dill Hall Lane.
Todmorden also got through at Rochdale, where Jon Henderson took four wickets against his former club and professional Morne van Wyk hit an unbeaten 74 in an eight-wicket win.
League champions Lowerhouse lost at Clifton, Colne went down at Monton and Weaste and Rishton lost at home to Werneth.
Inter League Club Challenge Trophy 1st Round Ashton 173-9 Rawtenstall 176-4 (Rawtenstall beat Ashton by 3 runs); Bacup 144-4 Crompton 140 (Bacup beat Crompton by 6 wickets); Church 52-2 Milnrow 105 (Church beat Milnrow on run rate - Target: 42 from 12 overs); Clifton 77-1 Lowerhouse 75-9 (Clifton beat Lowerhouse by 9 wickets); East Lancs 189-5 Walsden 172 (East Lancs beat Walsden by 17 runs ); Enfield 169-5 Royton 64-2 (Enfield beat Royton on run rate - Target: 68 off 12 overs); Monton and Weaste 234-4 Colne 131 (Monton and Weaste beat Colne by 103 runs); Nelson 189-6 Middleton 213-6 (Nelson beat Middleton on run rate - Target: 187 from 36 overs); Norden 165-7 Accrington 167-1 (Accrington beat Norden by 9 wickets); Oldham 198 Burnley 311-4 (Burnley beat Oldham by 113 runs); Radcliffe 92-7 Haslingden 130-8 (Haslingden beat Radcliffe by 38 runs); Ramsbottom 94-4 Heywood 94-8 (Ramsbottom beat Heywood by losing fewer wickets); Rishton 170-5 Werneth 102-7 (Werneth beat Rishton on run rate - Target: 96 off 18 overs); Rochdale 110 Todmorden 112-2 (Todmorden beat Rochdale by 8 wickets) Byes: Littleborough and Unsworth
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