Perfect start to the Lancashire League season for Burnley and Lowerhouse

Both Burnley and Lowerhouse got off to the best possible starts in the Lancashire League, seeing off newcomers Crompton and Milnrow respectively.
Ben HeapBen Heap
Ben Heap

West Enders skipper Ben Heap was the star of the show at Ladyhouse, hitting no less than 18 boundaries in a knock of 144 as the visitors prevailed by 159 runs.

Heap, who recorded nine fours and as many sixes, helped ‘House reach 252-3 in 44 overs, setting the bar high in the process.

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Professional Ockert Erasmus added 30 to the total, the returning Francois Haasbroek finished unbeaten on 27, and Joe Hawke contributed with 22.

Milnrow captain Aaron Brown tried to get things moving in his side’s reply but he didn’t come close to emulating Heap’s heroics.

He top scored for the hosts with 23 while professional Neil Hornbuckle was the only other player to reach double figures when adding 20.

Hawke ended the afternoon with figures of 4-15 for the away side and Erasmus took 3-17 as the hosts were extinguished for 93.

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Elsewhere, a fine all round display from Chris Holt was a key factor in Burnley’s six-wicket win at MyProtein Turf Moor.

Former professional Holt scored 66 with the bat after taking 3-37 to restrict the visitors.

Sub professional Usman Tariq also took 3-29 and Cole Hayman 3-22 to restrict Crompton to 128-9 in a rain reduced 39 overs.

The home side were well on their way when Holt posted 90 for the opening wicket alongside Liam Bedford (34) while Joey Marshall hit an unbeaten 18 to take Burnley to their revised DLS target of 142 in the 24th over.

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In the Ribblesdale Cricket League, newly promoted Padiham set the ball rolling by taking maximum points in their opener against Feniscowles at the Arbories.

Three wickets for Curtis Meehan and a couple apiece for Nathan Whitehead and Toby Burrows limited the away side to a total of 107.

Sub pro Hornbuckle was the stand out performer in the home side’s innings, firing an unbeaten 68 to secure a seven-wicket win.

However, it wasn’t good news for Read who were beaten by six wickets in the derby against Ribblesdale Wanderers at Church Meadow.

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William Wrathall (30), paid man Matthew Walker (49) and Bailey Richards (48) impressed as the away side posted 189.

It was the third-wicket partnership that did the job for Wanderers as Mack Spencer and professional Primosh Perera put on 132 runs.

After Spencer was bowled by Walker on his half-century, paid man Perera fell two runs short of his century.

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