Burnley and '˜House remain on course to reach cup final

The two rivals avoided each other in the final four with history-making Burnley paired with either Todmorden or Ramsbottom, away from home, on July 8th while the West Enders play host to Crompton at the Brooks Foundation Ground.

Dan Pickup’s side, who were dethroned as champions last term having previously won the silverware four times on the bounce, progressed with a 36 run against Rishton at Blackburn Road.

Liam Bedford top scored with 70 in Burnley’s 160-9 from 34 overs. Qasim Shah also made 22 and Joe McCluskie 18.

The hosts then had to chase a revised target of 171 from 34 overs as rain intervened.

Professional Mansoor Amjad made 38, Scott Greaves 18 and Mark Leathert 14 but the visiting skipper led by example, taking 3-12, as Rishton were restricted.

Burnley and Lowerhouse have never met in the final in the 92 seasons that the competition has existed but that could now all change.

Ben Heap’s men beat Norden by four wickets to keep the dream alive at Woodhouse Lane.

The home side were restricted to 113-5 from 40 overs with wicket-keeper Lee Crabtree hitting an unbeaten 34.

Harvey Fitton added 32 for Norden with Joe Hawke taking 2-25 from his 10 over spell for Lowerhouse.

Chasing a revised target of 151 from 40 overs, Francois Haasbroek top scored with 59 from 103 balls to help the visitors to victory in the 39th over.

Charlie Cottam also hit an unbeaten 27 and Ben Uttley 23 with Chris Humphreys taking 4-17 for Norden.

It seems like it’s going to take something very special to stop Walsden in their tracks in the Lancashire League but Lowerhouse are doing everything in their power to stay in touch.

Half-centuries from professional Ockert Erasmus, who passed 6,000 league runs, and Paddy Martin, unbeaten from 68 balls, helped the hosts to 239-7.

Skipper Ben Heap also hit 46, Charlie Cottam 21 and Chris Bleazard 15 with Joe Bolton taking 3-55 for East Lancs.

Francois Haabroek’s fabulous figures of 6-23 then slowed the away side’s chase significantly while Erasmus took 3-29 to dismiss the visitors for 103.

Burnley then beat Darwen by 20 runs in the big clash at Birch Hall.

Chris Holt top scored with 42 in Burnley’s 209 all out with Joe McCluskie (25), Joey Marshall (22) and David Brown (20) all contributing.

Rain left Darwen needing 154 off 29 overs and then another shower changed the target to 126 off 20 overs.

Cole Hayman claimed his 200th Lancashire League wicket in his 3-15 while Holt added five of the best in taking 5-41 to limit Darwen to 105-8.

Finally, Burnley beat Colne and Lowerhouse saw off Nelson in the Twenty20.