Lloyd must wait for Lancashire League start

10:30am Monday 5th May 2008

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ACCRINGTON tightened their grip at the top of the Lancashire League with a third successive victory.

However, David Lloyd's big return for the Thorneyholme Road outfit must wait another week after their fixture with Burnley was abandoned due to rain.

All of yesterday's matches fell foul of the weather, with no play whatsoever, and will be replayed on Saturday June 14.

For Lloyd, 63, the former England and Lancashire ace, he will make his Accrington comeback next Saturday, weather permitting, when they face Haslingden.

But Accy stay on top of the pile after clinching their first win at East Lancs since 1993.

Toby Bulcock was the star of the show, compiling a superb unbeaten 71, as the visitors triumphed by five wickets.

Opener Matt Wilson contributed 43 in Accrington's 187-5, after pro Shanan Stewart had earlier fired 64 for East Lancs in their 185 all out.

Champions Rishton crumbled to their first defeat of the season, losing by seven wickets at Enfield.

Rishton were skittled out for just 99 - pro Brandon Hiini taking 4-31 - before the home side eased to victory.

But the visitors were the architects of their own downfall, shipping 40 extras.

Rawtenstall maintained their 100 per cent start to the campaign - winning their 13th completed match in a row with a convincing 67 run victory over Lowerhouse.

Captain Andy Payne led the way with an excellent 71, and was given tremendous support from the top order in his side's 222-7.

Lowerhouse were bowled out for 155 in reply, with Keith Roscoe (4-42) and Nathan McCullum (4-56) shining.

Church made it back-to-back wins, overcoming Haslingden by 75 runs at West End.

Pro Niel Bredenkamp gave a glimpse of his quality with a tremendous 94, boosted by good support from Phil Sykes (39) and Sagawat Hussain (28).

An opening stand of 105 between Andy Clough (71) and Graham Knowles (44) looked to have Haslingden on course for victory but, once the openers departed, they crumbled to 163 all out.

Todmorden's new pro Gulam Bodi arrived in a blaze of glory with an unbeaten 50, including a couple of sixes, in his side's impressive six-wicket win at Burnley.

The Turf Moor outfit were shot out for just 101, with Mo Bux picking up figures of 4-29.

Two low-scoring games saw Nelson and Bacup edge past Ramsbottom and Colne respectively by two wickets.