KELLY Smuts ensured the Lancashire League season got off to a record breaking start as he hit the highest score in the competition's 125-year history.

The South African made 211 for Todmorden in their total of 323-6 against Enfield, breaking former Australia captain Michael Clarke's 15-year record.

Clarke made 200 for Ramsbottom in 2002 but was surpassed by the Centre Vale pro whose knock came off 139 balls and included 11 sixes and 23 fours.

Smuts' heroics helped Todmorden to a 180-run opening day victory.

Elsewhere, Darwen recorded their first ever Lancashire League success with a four-wicket win over Church at Birch Hall.

And it was a family affair for the Towers at Scott Friend was joined by his brother, and captain, Mark at the crease to put them on course for victory.

Darwen had been left frustrated last weekend as they saw their debut in the competition rained off, along with all the other fixtures.

But they made the most of the sunshine yesterday as David Bowden claimed four wickets to restrict Church to 151-7 off their 50 overs.

First to fall was sub-pro Usman Tariq trapped lbw by Neil Cordingley, and Bowden then claimed the key wickets of Josh Scully (18) and captain Levi Wolfenden (22).

Hassan Fazal made 32 before he was run our by Darwen pro Calvin Savage, and Joel Gaskill was left 28 not out.

The home side's reply got off to a bad start when Ammer Mirza was out for a duck with just two runs on the board, but John Cordingley (11) and Scott Friend (29) led the revival, with Mark Friend chipping in 27 before Reece Davies' 15 not out got them over the line with just under 15 overs to spare.

Fellow new boys Clitheroe grabbed a shock four-wicket win at home to Burnley.

Chris Burton (30) top scored for the Turf Moor men as they finished on 151-8 – Imran Khalid the pick of the bowlers with 4-50.

Ali Ross (36), Khalid (32) and Peter Dibb (27no) were the leading men in the reply as Clitheroe started in style.

Reigning champions Ramsbottom were also beaten as highly-fancied Lowerhouse enjoyed a 37-run victory.

Ben Heap (69) and pro Ockert Erasmus (50) spearheaded a decent total of 192-6. The paid man then claimed 4-31 as Rammy were bowled out for 155.

Nelson beaten Rawtenstall by seven wickets after Keith Roscoe's men were dismissed for 115. Rizwan Shafiw made 47 of them, while Nelson's David Crotty claimed 4-19.

Pro Devon Conway starred with the bat, finishing 49 not out.

Accrington were even more comfortable at home to Rishton, who they bowled out for 118.

Sub pro Robert Nicol made an unbeaten 86 for the visitors but a lack of support meant Accrington lost just two wickets in reply, with Simon Hanson top scoring with 43 not out.

Haslingden cruised to a 10-wicket win over Colne at Bentgate after the visitors won the toss and elected to bat.

They lost openers Chris Walton (0) and Reece Whitehead (1) inside four overs and were 25-5 when Danny Kegg was caught by Ethan Stanton off the bowling of Joe Sipocz for five.

Wicketkeeper Sam Tillotson, batting at No.4, reached 10 and Johnathan Nation (16) and Mohammed Khalid (15no) put up some lower order resistance, but their side were still bowled out for 73 in 37.3 overs.

Sipocz was the pick of the3 bowlers, finishing with figures of 6-17 off his eight overs.

The reply was straightforward for the hosts, with openers Graham Knowles (26) and Chris Cook-Martin, whose unbeaten 38 included six fours, getting them home without loss.

Elsewhere, East Lancashire edged a thriller against Great Harwood - winning by two wickets with only two balls to spare.