Champions are beaten in traditional curtain-raiser

The history-makers, who secured an unprecedented domestic quadruple last term, were beaten by 20 runs by Holland Cup owners Enfield in a thrilling curtain-raiser to the season at Turf Moor.

The Lancashire League champions, who added the Worsley Cup and Twenty20 silverware to their haul, made an impressive start as the away side were reduced to 14-3 with 16-year-old Lawson claiming two of those scalps.

However, substitute professional James Price and Adam Bracewell put on 104 for the fourth wicket, before Lawson struck again, having Bracewell lbw for 66, which included six sixes and five fours.

Price continued to anchor the innings and went on to register 115 runs in Enfield’s 234-8 total before Lawson earned a collection after enticing a catch from the paid man, snapped up by Vishal Tripathi.

Price hit six fours and five sixes during a 119-ball stay at the crease while bowler Lawson culminated the innings with figures of 5-26 from an eight-over spell.

“The opposing pro batted really well and exceeded 100,” said Tripathi. “There were a number of poor deliveries and he punished them. He was pretty ruthless in the end.

“But Tom Lawson bowled really well to claim his maiden five-fer. He showed a lot of maturity and he’s a player that is showing a lot of promise.

“He came in, at just 16 years old, led the attack and swung the ball nicely. He was very impressive and I hope he carries that form in to the season.

“He’s done a lot of hard work over the winter in perfecting his action and ensuring that he’s technically sound. He was fanastic.”

Burnley got off to a steady start in reply as Vishal Tripathi and Dan Pickup shared 25 for the first wicket, but soon the hosts were 66-4, as Simon O’Loughlin removed Tripathi (23) and David Brown (6) as part of his 3-29.

Shah, who hit 49 off 61 deliveries, and Michael Kelly (77 from 61) added 94 for the fifth wicket, but Chris Bowness claimed his first of three victims to send the professional back.

Kelly looked capable of taking Burnley to victory, but when Bowness struck again, the champions were up against it, and were ultimately dismissed for 214 in th 38th over.

“Michael Kelly passed 70 runs and I was really happy for him,” Tripathi said. “He hasn’t hit his full potential over the last couple of seasons but he batted extremely well and showed great application. He deserved his score.”