CricInfo Home
News Home

NEWS FOCUS
Rsa in Pak
NZ in India
Zim in Aus

Domestic
Other Series

East Lancs' South African professional Claude Henderson had a wonderful weekend, leading his team to maximum points with a 13-wicket haul to defy the weather.

Saturday's six of the best against Lowerhouse were followed by a magnificent seven yesterday, as the slow left-arm bowler put the Accrington batsmen to the sword at Thorneyholme Road.

The home team were rolled over for just 64, professional Mark Bailey battling against very difficult condirtions for a gallant 25.

But only one other player made double figures as Henderson collected 7-25 and proved virtually unplayable on the wet track.

Paul Kelly (3-16) also benefited and the target proved no problem for East Lancs as they coasted to victory.

Rishton have made a good start with two victories but had to dig deep to get the better of Enfield in a gritty struggle at Blackburn Road.

Sent in on a grafting wicket, Enfield skipper Andrew Barker set a fine example before being fifth out with 39 from a score of 76.

Most others struggled, however, and Rishton professional Paul Wiseman, making his first appearance, picked up a handy 5-47 with a mixture of off-spin and seamers.

David Howard, playing his first Rishton home game since joining them from Ribblesdale Wanderers, took 2-26 in 15 accurate overs and then went on to prove their hero with the bat. Having dismissed Enfield for 99, Rishton ran into trouble against substitute professional Paul Ridgway (5-40) and, at 65-7, the game was in the balance.

But Howard (25no) played sensibly and had the leading role as they got home without losing another wicket.

Champions Nelson continued their positive start to the defence of their crown with a comfortable 89-run win over Ramsbottom.

Professional Roger Harper did the damage with the ball, claiming 6-33 as Ramsbottom were shot out for 82.

Earlier, some positive batting put Nelson in the driving seat as Harper and skipper Duncan Spencer added 61 for the second wicket after Matthew Pascoe had taken his first wicket in the Lancashire League.

However, the Queenslander didn't have the happiest of starts to his career at Ramsbottom as the damp conditions didn't help him with the ball and he was later the victim of a tough-looking leg before decision when he hadn't scored.

Marcus Phelan maintained the momentum for Nelson with 33 in the middle order as the home side reached 171-7.

Only Ian Bell (28) and Mark Price, last out for 33, then got to grips with Harper as Nelson, who bided their time and didn't over-attack in the field, collected maximum points.

Burnley made it two wins in two days as Anthony Botha spun them to victory at Todmorden.

The home side looked well placed in their pursuit of 158 when they were 83-1 after 19 overs as Stuart Priestley and professional Brendan Nash put on 79 for the second wicket. But the departure of Nash to Stuart Holden, who weighed in with 4-23, turned the game as Todmorden then collapsed to Holden and Botha (5-37) and lost their last night nine wickets for 41 runs.

David Brown had top-scored for Burnley with 43 before last out, as he capitalised on a good start made by Andy McLeod and Phil Edmondson.

Lowerhouse kept their nerve to record their second win of the season with a tight victory over Rawtenstall.

A brilliant second wicket partnership of 104 between professional Martin Van Jaarsveld (57) and Jez Hope (73) enabled the Liverpool Road side to post a testing total of 169-4.

And though Lloyd Ferreira (35) and RIchard Wood (43) put Rawtenstall back in contention to leave the visitors needing 10 off the last over, Van Jaarsveld kept things tight to seal a Lowerhouse win but couldn't claim the final wicket for maximum points.

Gary Hunt steered Colne to a comfortable victory over Bacup in a low scoring encounter at Lanehead.

Hunt picked up 5-18 in a superb spell to reduce the home side to a meagre 108-9 off their full quota of 50 overs.

Only professional Brad White made any real impact for Bacup, top-scoring with 28. But Colne then slipped to 44-4 in reply, before Hunt then put on 67 with Joe Scuderi (55 no) to finish unbeaten on 32 to lead his side to a six-wicket victory.