Lancashire League highlights

HASLINGDEN consolidated their position at the top of the league with a hard-fought victory over champions Rishton at Blackburn Road, reaching 184-8 before bowling Rishton out for 167.

Without captain Mark Griffin, Haslingden had to share out the leadership responsibilities.

Professional Gordon Parsons from Leicestershire did his bit with a fine 60 not out as did Steve Dearden, who made 35 before being trapped leg before by Russell Whalley.

Meyrick Pringle took four Haslingden wickets but was expensive.

But it was with the bat that Rishton failed, dropping wickets at regular intervals.

Only Craig Smith and Jonathan Dobson made inroads but they failed to stay at the crease.

East Lancs were dealt a body blow at Acre Bottom, slumping to 156-9 in reply to Ramsbottom's 185-4.

New Zealander Chris Harris, the Ramsbottom professional, made a tremendous 97 that decimated the East Lancs attack.

But it was Chris Hall's five wickets and the tight bowling of the home side that was crucial.

In 23 overs Harris conceded only 63 runs, taking two wickets.

David Pearson made 61 before being bowled by Hall but Billy Stelling failed to add anything substantial, being caught and bowled by Hall for eight.

A captain's innings from Peter Thompson and six wickets from professional James Peterson helped Bacup to victory at Centre Vale. They were bowled out for 169 but contained Todmorden to 148-9 in reply.

They were also helped by the dry wicket which deteriorated as the game progressed. "It played well for an hour and then the top went," said Todmorden's Brian Heywood.

The fall of Bacup wickets throughout their middle order would seem to support this and also the early wickets that fell for Todmorden.

But Bacup's collapse was incredible, tumbling from 80-0 after 20, 121-1 after 31 and 154-2 after 37 to 169 all out with two overs left.

In the last seven overs they lost eight wickets for 15 runs!

Todmorden were 50-4 with professional Frans Cronje out for three. But Heywood and Mark Clayton got it to 91-4 before being eliminated.

With them went Todmorden's chances.

A battling unbeaten 101 from skipper Glen Barlow wasn't enough to save Rawtenstall from a home defeat against a Peter Sleep inspired Accrington.

Barlow and Pat Rush (48) shared a stand of 120 to rescue Rawtenstall from 65-6 and they set a respectable 188-8, with Sleep taking 4-77. Sleep then carried his bat for 87, sharing an opening stand of 105 with Heins (51) as Accrington cruised to a six-wicket victory.

A batting collapse - somewhat eased by the home side's generosity in handing out extras - left Church defending a total of 146 at Dill Hall Lane. Enfield eased to 150-2 in reply to claim maximum points.

Brendan Creevey was out for a duck and it didn't improve for Church.

They did mount a rally from 94-8 but it was a rearguard action.

Andy Barker, with 14 fours, contributed to a first wicket partnership of 135 and made 85 not out in total.

Liam Jackson had seven fours in his 44.

Half centuries by Paul Garaghty and Marcus Phelan set up victory for Nelson who made 179-8 before curtailing Lowerhouse to 141-7.

Both made 53 while professional Alan Dawson added a handy 34 more.

He then took four wickets as Lowerhouse failed to gain a foothold.

Stan Heaton top-scored for the home side with 34.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.