Salesbury relish second win as Pradeep shines

The Sri Lankan all-rounder smashed 72 and took 6-74 as Salesbury battled to a four-wicket win over Earby.

Batting first, Earby made 177 off their 45 overs as Pradeep accounted for both openers before tearing though the middle order. Liam Parkinson and Edward Foster took the other two wickets.

Salesbury opener Ian Rabagliati got the home side’s reply off to the perfect start, hitting 52 off 94 balls.

Fellow opener John Wharton supported well with 24 before Pradeep came to the crease, hitting 72 off just 58 balls.

Salebury reached 178 with just over two overs remaining.

On Saturday, Salesbury entertain Edenfield at Ribchester Road before another home fixture against Padiham on Saunday.

Barnoldswick currently lead the Houldsworth Solicitors Ribblesdale Cricket League by eight points from Read who kept up the pressure by hammering Whalley by nine wickets at home.

The visitors managed only 76 from their 33 overs as Jon Harvey returned 5-23 from 13 overs and Warren Eastham finished with superb figures of 4-4-0-3.

Nomadic Great Harwood were set to host their first match of the campaign after their Blackburn Old Road was passed fit by League officials.

But last Friday’s torrential rain undid all their early season ground work and the game against Clitheroe was abandoned as a draw.

l LOW Moor and Calderstones are the early leaders of the Clitheroe and District Midweek Cricket League.

Calderstones narrowly won as St James fell agonisingly short by five runs chasing Calderstones 84-4. Malcolm Scott and Pete Oliver both made 30 in vain.

Sabden were another side to lose on the last ball. Chipping ‘A’ had made 120-9 off their 18 overs with Graham McEwan

making 35 retired. In reply Phil Parker made 32 retired as Sabden fell short by 3 runs.

Low Moor must have been worried when they were bowled out for just 75 by Chipping Ramblers but it proved to be plenty as Ramblers were skittled for 55 all out.

Sabden travelled to West Lancashire to play a very hospitable Mawdesley in the National Village Knockout on Sunday.

Mawdesley batted first and looked set for a big total when drinks were taken at 20 overs with the score on 89-1.

But brothers John and Glenn Hargreaves bowled very miserly spells to restrict the home side to 154-8.

Sabden’s reply was slow and although the score reached 89-2 the run rate proved too much to keep up with and the side were eventually all out for 126. Nick Burton top scored with 53.