Burnley Cricket Club seal 20th Lancashire League title with narrow win over Darwen
Burnley Cricket Club have secured their 20th Lancashire League title after a tense win over Darwen at Birch Hall, with just one game left to play in the season.
They were made to sweat at the weekend as they edged past Darwen at Birch Hall by a single wicket to remain a now unassailable 16 points clear of second-placed Walsden with just one game left to play.
Chasing 151 for victory from reduced 44 overs, the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals with only Callum Clarke (31) and Matthew Roberts (28) able to register a score above 25.
At 144-9, Darwen sensed blood but the last-wicket partnership of Ishaq Khan (10) and Fergus Bailey (2) stood defiantly to find the eight runs required for victory.
John Cordingley was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he finished with figures of 4-34.
Earlier, captain Ockert Erasmus had taken 4-54 and was backed-up by Bharat Tripathi, who chipped-in with two wickets, as Darwen were restricted to 150-8.
Alexander Davies scored a battling half-century for the home side and was ably supported by Cordingley, who struck 30.
It will be part time at Turf Moor this weekend when Burnley face Todmorden.
Walsden, meanwhile, denied Lowerhouse the opportunity of finishing in runners-up spot with a four-wicket win at West End.
Patrick Martin’s men are currently in fourth spot and could finish third if they win their final game away at Norden, although a host of clubs are queuing up behind them to take advantage if they lose.
Daniel Salpietro struck a half-century and was assisted by Francois Haasbroek (32) as the hosts closed on 169-8. Jamie Shackleton and Dushan Vimukthi shared six wickets between them.
In reply, Walsden eased to victory thanks to Nick Barker’s 66 and 31 from Vimukthi.
Toqir Hussain returned figures of 3-45 but it was not quite enough as the visitors eased home with just over four overs to spare.
Elsewhere, Nelson still have work to do on the final day if they are going to follow Burnley’s suit and also be crowned champions of their respective division.
They sit top of division two – three points clear of Accrington with Crompton nine points further back.
Tyler McGladdery’s men were five-wicket victors at Rishton after bowling the hosts out for just 98.
Gulraiz Sabirwas the destroyer -in-chief, takeing 5-20 and he was ably assisted by Neil Thompson, who took 3-18.
No Rishton batsman could score above 30 with Kieren Grimshaw hitting the top score with 29.
In reply, the visitors lost a few wickets early on courtesy of Grimshaw’s (3-56) opening burst.
However, McGladdery steadied the nerves with an unbeaten 33, sharing in an unbeaten sixth-wicket parternship of 60 with Tom Bradshaw (28).
It’s all set up for an enthralling last day with Nelson hosting Crompton at Seedhill, while Accy travel to Rochdale.
Alexander Davies scored a battling half-century for the home side and was ably supported by Cordingley, who struck 30.
Walsden, meanwhile, denied Lowerhouse the opportunity of finishing in runners-up spot with a four-wicket win at West End.
Patrick Martin’s men are currently in fourth spot and could finish third if they win their final game against, although a host of clubs are queuing up behind them to take advantage if they lose.
Daniel Salpietro struck a half-century and was assisted by Francois Haasbroek (32) as the hosts closed on 169-8. Jamie Shackleton and Dushan Vimukthi shared six wickets between them.
In reply, Walsden eased to victory thanks to Nick Barker’s 66 and 31 from Vimukthi.
Toqir Hussain returned figures of 3-45 but it was not quite enough as the visitors eased home with just over four overs to spare.
Colne travel to Rawtenstall this weekend after being beaten by five wickets by Rochdale at The Horsfield on Saturday.
Skipper Lewis Rimmer top scored with 40 and Kenton Rhodes struck 33 as the hosts compiled 138-9. Steven Oddy took 5-25.
In reply, Tom Gilbertson top scored with 38 as the visitors eased to victory for the loss of five wickets and despite Geeth Kumara’s 4-50.