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Two of Lancashire's young hopefuls took a break from the county scene to hone their preparations for the new season in the Central Lancashire League.

Chris Schofield, widely tipped as a future England leg-spinner, demonstrated his all-round talents with an unbeaten 60 off 56 balls as champions Littleborough defeated Heywood by 10 wickets.

And Red Rose colleague Darren Shadford teamed up with his brother Andrew to steer Oldham to victory over Stand. The Shadfords shared all 10 wickets as Stand were dismissed for 89 and each contributed with the bat in an eight-wicket success.

Generally, though, runs were hard to come by with the Lancashire League's two-day programme yielding only five scores of more than 50 in 10 games as Australian professional Brad McNamara marked his return to Haslingden with the only century, a composed 106 not out from 157 balls in a 44-run win over Church.

There was another century in the North Lancashire League where Barrow professional Justin Quint registered an unbeaten 105 against Dudden SC, formerly Askam.

Durham Senior League champions Durham Academy were unable to launch the defence of their title because of the weather, enabling Eppleton to demonstrate their credentials with a nine-wicket win over Durham City, Shaun Birbeck hitting 85 not out.

Vernon Dumas, Shotley Bridge's new West Indian professional in the Tyneside Senior League, announced himself in style by smiting his first ball of the season for six and there was yet another outstanding contribution from Consett's David Jackson, 85 and three for 15 in 21 overs against Seaton Burn.

Scarborough's veteran off-spinner Chris Clifford claimed three for 29 against Hull in the only Yorkshire League game to beat the weather.

One of the best bowling performances came from Jason Smith, who claimed eight for 72 for Whalley against Blackburn Northern in the Ribblesdale League and in the Central Yorkshire League, Methley's Neville Lindsay, recruited from Bradford League side East Bierley, took five for 47 in a 14-run win over Altofts.

Steve Dublin, who once contrived to score 48 from a single over for Kearsley in the Bolton League, has joined rivals Westhoughton for the 1999 campaign. And his new team-mates celebrated his arrival with a confident victory over ambitious Walkden.

Dublin kept his powder dry for the time being, however, leaving professional Patrick Holder to steal the honours with figures of five for 48 as Walkden, 14 for six at one stage, mustered only 77 in reply to their opponents' score of 163 for nine.