RUNS were the order of the day in Saturday's Inter League Challenge Trophy first round matches, with seven centuries being scored as batsmen made the most of the firmer wickets in the May sunshine.

Holders Haslingden were on the receiving end of two centuries with Rochdale professional Aakash Chopra hitting an unbeaten 108 and fellow opener Simon Brierley compiling 106 in a first wicket stand of 232 at Bentgate.

The visitors' total of 253-1 proved too much for the holders who battled away to fall 18 runs short with sub professional Renier Munnick (65) and skipper Paul Blackledge (58) adding 99 for the fourth wicket in a valiant effort.

Heywood's Bobby Cross (122) and Mike Arnold (106 not out) topped the Rochdale openers' effort with a monumental first wicket stand of 254 against Todmorden. Heywood closed on 262-1 and then restricted Todmorden to 180-3 with Simon Newbitt (60) and Richard Baigent (52) posting half centuries.

The best two games were at Turf Moor and Acre Bottom with last gasp wins for Oldham and Ramsbottom respectively.

Chasing Burnley's 218-8 (Steve Brunt 57 not out), Oldham were almost dead and buried at 22-4 and 42-5, but big hitting number seven Jason Maher smashed 91 in just 66 balls with no little help from teenager Luke Proctor, who followed up his 4-57 with an unbeaten 58 to give Oldham a three-wicket win.

Occasional bowler Brian Taylor took 3-10 in Ramsbottom's unlikely five-run win over Milnrow. Defending 177-9, the home side had all but given up hope with visiting professional Wade Wingfield batting through the innings for an

unbeaten 101, but Taylor snapped up the last three Milnrow wickets with Wingfield stranded at the other end.

The biggest win of the day was by Rawtenstall, who thrashed Stand by 191 runs at Bacup Road. Home pro Andrew Payne hit 113 in his side's 250-8 and then Keith Roscoe took 3-17, Peter Seal 3-18, and Andy Clough 2-13 as Stand were bowled out for just 59.

Middleton spoilt former professional Ruvin Peiris' return to the club by beating his new club Church by eight wickets. Peiris hit 68 in his side's 168, but he was outdone by his successor Sajith Fernando who took 5-28 and then hit an unbeaten 74 for Middleton.

An under strength Nelson side were beaten by 85 runs at Norden. Asif Mujtaba top scored with 48 in Norden's 247-8 with Danny Kegg taking 4-45 for Nelson who were then bowled out for 162.

Lancashire League leaders Lowerhouse beat Walsden by four wickets with Peter Fulton hitting an unbeaten 77. Crompton repeated their semi final success last season by beating Enfield again and Unsworth beat Colne by eight wickets at the Horsfield.

Rishton went down by 76 runs at Werneth but there was better news for East Lancs, who beat Radcliffe by six wickets. Paul Turner hit 66 and new professional Quinton Friend took 4-53 in Radcliffe's 198-6.

Ashton professional Anil Rideegammanagedera may have a name to remember but he had a day to forget at Bacup as his side were beaten by five wickets. The Sri Lankan was on the wrong end of a mauling by Bacup openers Chris Simpson and Peter Thompson as he conceded 54 runs in just five overs.

Professional Simpson smashed 59 off just 24 balls as Bacup took less than 18 overs to pass Ashton's modest 116 all out.

Accrington, Littleborough and Royton received byes into the second round.

Draw to be made Sunday tea time.

LINE SCORES

Bacup 116-5 Ashton 115, Bacup beat Ashton by 5 wickets

Burnley 218-5 Oldham 219-7, Oldham beat Burnley by 3 wickets

Colne 178-8 Unsworth 179-2, Unsworth beat Colne by 8 wickets

Crompton 147-7 Enfield 146, Crompton beat Enfield by 3 wickets

Haslingden 235 Rochdale 253-1, Rochdale beat Haslingden by 18 runs

Heywood 262-1 Todmorden 180-3, Heywood beat Todmorden by 82 runs

Lowerhouse 217-6 Walsden 214-7, Lowerhouse beat Walsden by 4 wickets

Middleton 169-2 Church 168, Middleton beat Church by 8 wickets

Norden 247-8 Nelson 162, Norden beat Nelson by 85 runs

Radcliffe 198-6 East Lancs 199-4, East Lancs beat Radcliffe by 4 wickets

Ramsbottom 177-9 Milnrow 172, Ramsbottom beat Milnrow by 5 runs

Rawtenstall 250-8 Stand 59, Rawtenstall beat Stand by 191 runs

Werneth 240-8 Rishton 164-9, Werneth beat Rishton by 76 runs

Second round draw:

Accrington v Oldham; Crompton v Bacup; East Lancs v Norden; Heywood v Lowerhouse; Littleborough v Middleton; Rawtenstall v Werneth; Royton v Rochdale; Unsworth v Ramsbottom

Matches will be played on Monday May 31.

SCORES

CENTURY: Rawtenstall pro Andrew Payne scored 113

Chorley/Darwen reports

Ribb League