Read undone by Lancashire ace as season starts in soggy fashion

Lancashire all-rounder Andrea Agathangelou sizzled on an otherwise soggy afternoon to mark the new Houldsworth Ribblesdale League season.
Reads Jon Harvey pictured in action at home against SettleReads Jon Harvey pictured in action at home against Settle
Reads Jon Harvey pictured in action at home against Settle

Settle recruited the 23-year-old South African born Cypriot as stand-in professional for their visit to last year’s senior league runners-up Read.

And Agathangelou, who made his County Championship debut in 2012, didn’t disappoint, hitting a magnificent unbeaten 145 in the run feast at Whalley Road.

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The Red Rose star’s thrilling innings helped the visitors to 243-6 off their 45 overs.

Despite Elliott Artingstoll’s stubborn resistance with 98 not out, Read, despite managing a full second innings, eventually fell 12 runs short.

Padiham took on league newcomers Brooksbottom, who set-up camp at Rishton because of early season pitch problems at Rowlands Road.

Only one innings, however, was possible with Padiham reaching 184-6.

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Along with Settle, Earby were the only other winners on the opening afternoon of the new campaign.

Earby edged out Cherry Tree on a faster scoring rate at Applegarth.

Bottom of the table last season, with just four victories, Earby restricted Cherry Tree to 134-8 in their 45 overs.

The home side then reached 78-3 in 21 overs to achieve their win.

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Despite the unwelcome early bad weather, a number of batsmen still impressed.

Liam Bedford made 106 for Barnoldswick as the champions began their defence against Ribblesdale League newcomers, Euxton.

Bedford’s century came in a total of 242 as Oliver Marsden took 6-85 from 16.3 overs for the visitors.

Euxton started their reply and were in trouble at 43-3 when rain forced the abandonment.

Pakistani big hitter Babar Naeem, with 102 out of Baxenden’s 150-1 against Whalley, was the day’s other centurion.

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