Burnley firing back at league's big guns

Burnley have chased down some more than competitive scores in recent weeks which has seen them beat defending champions Clitheroe while also bringing an end to Accrington’s winning streak.

Against last year’s supremos, at Chatburn Road, Pickup’s men surpassed the home side’s 206 run finish, with just four wickets down, and did the same against Accrington at Turf Moor, eclipsing their tally of 192 with six wickets to spare.

“We played well,” said Pickup. “Accrington were top of the league and had taken maximum points from each of their games.

“We were balling first on a really good track; they were nice conditions to be batting in. We did really well in the field and we restricted them to less than 200.

“We chased them home pretty comfortably in the end. Everything was shared around, it was a real team performance.

“We have that luxury of being able to chase down big scores. We did it against champions Clitheroe as well with plenty of wickets in hand.”

Burnley travel to Bentgate to take on Haslingden on Saturday and then face an unknown quantity in Longridge on Sunday in the opening round of the Lancashire Knockout Cup.

Pickup said: “It will be a tough trip to Haslingden, it’s never easy going there. They’ve always been a decent side and it’ll be another difficult test.

“We’re not too sure what to expect against Longridge. We’ve heard that they’re a pretty decent side, they’ve done well in the county and national competitions, but we won’t really know until we get going on the day.

“This is a competition that we want to do well in. We’ve done well over the last few years with two semi-finals and a quarter-final but we’re desperate to go all the way.”

Lowerhouse will look to continue their rich vein of form in the Lancashire League when they entertain leaders Ramsbottom at the Brooks Foundation Ground on Saturday.

Lowerhouse have taken maximum points from three-quarters of their opening fixtures, beating Milnrow, Middleton and Enfield, with their only hiccup coming against newcomers Walsden, losing out by 103 runs last month.

Ben Heap’s side are currently fourth in the standings on 36 points, just 10 adrift of the leading pair.

Elsewhere, the Ribblesdale Cricket League as thrown up another round of Ramsbottom Cup fixtures.

Read welcome Group Two leaders Barnoldswick to Whalley Road on Saturday, with the opportunity to usurp their opponents in the standings, while Padiham, currently occupying one of the qualification spots in Group Three, can enjoy a weekend away from the action.