BLACKBURN Under-15s began their Lancashire Schools' Ainsworth Trophy campaign as they travelled to Tameside for their first round tie today.

The teams should have played the tie before the Whitsuntide break but they had to cancel the match due to heavy rain.

Blackburn's reward for a win will be a home second round tie against Salford.

Early woe for Red Rose juniors

Lancashire Under-15s, last season's county champions, started their season with a five-wicket defeat against Worcestershire at Worcester Royal Grammar School.

The Lancashire youngsters set a target of 173-4 with Hayes (44 not out) and Hudson (44) top scoring and in reply Worcestershire finished on 174-5.

Lancashire fared better on the rest of their tour to the South West winning all four games. They started by beating Cornwall and then a marvellous 136 from Burnley's John Clare helped them to victory against Devon.

Lancashire bowled out Hampshire for 132 before reaching that target for the

loss of five wickets with Wood batting well to reach 52 and they concluded their tour with a win against Gloucestershire.

The Under-15s travel to meet Cleveland at Thornaby CC tomorrow, while the Under-13s also travel to the North East tomorrow to take on Cleveland at Marton CC.