Relegation threat heightens for champs

REIGNING ECB Premier champions Burnley still face the threat of relegation just one season after claiming the title after they suffered another defeat, this time at Darwen.

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

Burnley won the toss and fielded first, Darwen making 151 all out with Rishabh Tiwari best with the bat having hit 38. Ockert Erasmus was at his best, taking 6-34 for Burnley.

But, M Qasim Shah with 66 aside, the visitors' top and middle order failed miserably with the bat and Burnley were dismissed for 119 in the 41st over.

Burnley sit second bottom with Middleton the only team below them, though the Towncroft side were able to close the gap between themselves and safety as they beat Rochdale at home by 13 runs.

Middleton won the toss and elected to bat first, making 201-7 from their 50 overs with professional James Price hitting a century.

Ben Chapman, 47, was best with the bat for Rochdale in their reply but they fell short of the target and were all out for 188.

Having travelled to Littleborough, Haslingden won the toss and quite rightly decided to bat on a glorious day at glorious Hare Hill.

Ben Williamson and Lewis Willman, Boro's left arm duo, opened up tidily and it was young Williamson who made the breakthrough, bowling Matt Sudworth for 5 with the score on 15.

This is when the visitors enjoyed their best spell of the game as Neil Brand and skipper Matt Griffin quite effortlessly took the score to 85 just before drinks when Griffin quite innocuosly chipped the ball back to Bryce Parsons for a solid 40 that included five boundaries.

It was as good as it got for the visitors as Ryan Miskella and in particular Parsons tightened the screw and never ever let Haslingden of the hook.