Sup pro topples holders with tremendous ton

Chasing 209 at the Arbories, the South African hit eight fours and five sixes during his 93 ball knock to finish unbeaten on 101 as the hosts triumphed by six wickets.

Stuart Crabtree’s 82 saw the visitors post a more than respectable total in the Group Three game as Sam Sweeney (30), captain Richard Lamb (29) and overseas amateur Joel Blain (25) batted well around him.

However, Curtis Meehan continued his fine start to the season when claiming another four victims at the expense of 48 runs from eight overs to prevent Whalley from doing any further damage.

Canning then brought the best out of those batting alongside him as one-time captain Callum Clarke fired 40, including six boundaries, to put on a stand of 105 for the second wicket.

Canning batted right the way through with Rhys Meehan (9), Nathan Whitehead (11) and skipper Kevin Hitchon (26 not out) contributing to the cause as the hosts took the points.

Meanwhile, Read failed to build on their bright start in the competition as they were beaten by four wickets against Baxenden at Back Lane in a Group Two tie.

The partnership between William Wrathall, who made a century in the competition against Earby last weekend, and paid man Matthew Walker was the pick of the away side’s performance in a finish of 183-6.

The duo put on 104 runs for the second wicket prior to the amateur batsman’s departure when caught by Connor Glover from Matthew Austin’s delivery having clocked up 35 runs.

Walker went on to make 65 from 95 balls, with his knock made up of two fours and a six, while Thomas Turner and Jack Jones both added 20, with the latter ending unbeaten.

It wasn’t enough, though, as Baxenden pair Abrar Hamed and Alex Coleman shone in the sunshine.

The Pakistani cricketer made 57 from 42 balls, with four fours and as many sixes, to set the tone while Coleman, once on the books at Burnley Football Club, demonstrated his versatility as a sportsman in making 100 not out.

The former defender at Turf Moor, who was released in the summer of 2014 and now plays for Colne in the Evo-Stik First Division North, struck 13 fours and three sixes to help the home side prevail.

Padiham maintained their perfect start to the campaign with a convincing win over Earby at the Applegarth.

Kevin Hitchon’s side, who gained promotion to Section A of the Ribblesdale Cricket League, moved up to fourth in the overall table thanks to an impressive all round display from professional Marques Ackerman’s.

The South African paid man reached the boundary 13 times on his way to 112, made from just 89 balls, before putting on a five star performance with the ball.

The 22-year-old combined with Callum Clarke to build a third wicket stand of 137 as the former skipper made 59 in Padiham’s total of 252-6. Nathan Whitehead also added 38.

Earby’s sub professional Ryan Canning hit a ton in the reply only to be severely let down by his team mates as Ackerman did the talking.

He took 5-64 from a 17 over spell as the visitors won by 79 runs while Toby Burrows added 2-37 from 15 overs.

Elsewhere, it was short but sweet for Read as they thumped Salesbury by nine wickets at Ribchester Road.

Professional Matt Walker was the star of the show as his fruitful 10-over spell with the ball ended with five victims at the expense of just five runs.

Salesbury were wiped out with a pitiful 36 runs on the board as the hosts survived just under 24 overs and Read made light work of bagging maximum points.