RISHTON rocked title favourites Ramsbottom with a sensational win as the Foster’s Lancashire League burst into belated life yesterday.

Just two games had been completed prior to this weekend – but Jimmy Bibby’s men, who have lost more than a team’s worth of players over the winter, made the most of their first appearance.

They stunned Ramsbottom with a six-wicket win at Blackburn Road and it was new professional Dan Salpietro who stole the show on his debut.

The Aussie off-spinner, who broke a host of records while playing for Atherton in the Bolton Association, left Ramsbottom not knowing which way to turn as he had a day to remember.

He claimed 8-28 as Ramsbottom were rolled over for just 77 – and then he steadied the ship with the bat after Mick Haslam and Jon Fielding had reduced Rishton to 25-3 in reply.

Salpietro made an unbeaten 32 to see Rishton over the line as they claimed a stunning six-wicket win.

And Haslingden, who are also well fancied for a stab at glory, were also stunned by Colne in another dramatic match at Bentgate.

Matt Wilson’s men looked dead and buried as they slumped to 40-6 chasing Haslingden’s 152 all out.

Despite losing three more wickets Colne somehow stayed in the hunt going into the last over - and a straight six from number 11 David Wallbank from the penultimate ball of the match took them home.

Reigning champions Lowerhouse had no such worries as they beat East Lancashire in the Liverpool Road sunshine.

Batting first Lowerhouse didn’t really kick on from being 92-0 with 20 overs to go and closed on 187-7.

But it was a track that forced batsmen to play shots and young Johnny Whitehead was stylish and illustrated his full potential as he hit a glorious half-century, while Ben Heap made 42.

East Lancashire needed a good start if they were to chase down that total and veteran David Pearson and Mudassar Panchbhaya did just that as they put on a patent 65 before the latter was run out brilliantly by Joey Hawke’s direct hit.

Hawke then removed Pearson before demolishing the stumps of East Lancs captain and pro Ockert Erasmus with one that kept low.

Mini Bhada and John Turner followed and East Lancs were suddenly 101-7 and Hawke had claimed six wickets.And after Paddy Martin produced aother fine run out, Francois Haasbroek wrapped up the innings and the Blackburn side were 108 all out.

Enfield pro Werner Coetsee starred with the bat as his men piled up the highest score of the day in their big win at Nelson.

On a record breaking day that saw 17-year-old Paddy Brown become the youngest umpire in Lancashire League history Coetsee hit 127 not out as his men piled up 277-5 at Seedhill.

Coetsee them removed Chris Willan and Lewis Bradley and while Nelson pro Shahzaib Hasan (44) was there they seemed to have a chance.

Those chances suffered a dip when Hasan departed and while skipper Neil Thompson made 58, the Nelson innings petered out and they were all out for 193 with Coetsee and Joe Wrigley both claiming four wickets.

Todmorden beat Burnley at Centre Vale. Simon Newbitt top scored with 46 as Tod posted 152 - and then pro Qaiser Abbas claimed four wickets as Burnley slumped to 67 all out.

Accrington coasted to a 67-run win over Rawtenstall at Thorneyholme Road to make it two wins from the two games they have played and Church were big winners on the opening day at Bacup.

Church posted 233-8 from their 50 overs with Lloyd Aspin making 80 on debut and Bacup in reply were 126 all out with four wickets each for Muhammed Jamil and pro Saeed Anwar.