Haslingden off to fine opening on home turf

THE JW Lees Lancashire League cricket season started beneath blue skies on Easter Sunday, hopefully a sign of things to come this summer.

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

In the JW Lees Premier League, Haslingden got off to a winning start with a 60-run home victory against Middleton.

Hassy won the toss and batted first, making 278-6 from their 50 overs. A Coleman’s unbeaten 119 from 126 deliveries was the stand-out knock but there were useful innings from N Brand 69 and S Hunsley 25no.

Middleton opener A Gregerson struck 41 and there were decent efforts from J Tierney 22, J Price 29, R Udwadia 26 - but the visitors fell short at 218-8.

Ramsbottom were up against reigning champions Burnley at Acre Bottom and fell to a 12-run defeat.

Burnley won the toss and batted first, making 184-7 from their 50 overs. Former Accrington favourite Ockert Erasmus top-scored for them with 41 while Mathew Roberts hit 34, Tom Lawson 31 and Chris Burton 27.

Ben Pearson hit an impressively patient 63 in Rammy’s reply while Harry Caton struck 31, but with Harry Snowden claiming 4-49 and Erasmus 3-39, they fell just short.

Littleborough went down by one wicket in a thrilling game at Chatburn Road, the home of Clitheroe.

It was a game played in an excellent spirit and a game that was superbly umpired by both officials. Skipper Miskella won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat on a sunny day. The visitors took the score to a round dozen when debutant Dan Stevens was trapped lbw for 5 to the impressive Murphy.

This brought Littleborough’s professional Bryce Parsons to the crease as he and opener Perren looked to build a solid foundation to the innings and build they did as they took the score to 92/1 at halfway before disaster stuck when Perren walked across his stumps looking to paddle sweep Ross only to see his bails dislodged as he fell for 35 with the score on 94.