Match reports:
Match Report: Seconds Storm to Victory as Firsts Frustrated by Rain
Seconds Wrap It Up Early
Lowerhouse Second Eleven extended their lead at the top of the table with an emphatic win over Rishton in a match barely affected by the weather — simply because it was over before 2:30pm.
Captain Declan Stansfield won the toss and chose to field. Rishton were sitting at 47 for 2 before a brutal collapse saw them bundled out for just 69. The star of the show was Shaukat Ali, who ripped through the middle and lower order with superb figures of 5 for 14 in 5.1 overs. Keagan De Vries provided excellent support, finishing with 3 for 7 off 5 overs.
In reply, House wasted no time. The chase was completed in just 31 balls. Francois Haasbroek bludgeoned 52 off 25 balls in a dominant display, with Declan Metcalfe contributing a quickfire 15 from 8 deliveries.
The win sees the Second Eleven move 29 points clear at the top of the league.
Rain Has Final Say at Clitheroe
While the Seconds enjoyed a swift result, the First Eleven weren’t as lucky, repeatedly interrupted by the rain in a frustrating afternoon at Clitheroe.
Despite the stop-start nature of the game, Lowerhouse produced a disciplined bowling display. Clitheroe managed 110 for 8 from their reduced allocation of 37 overs. Toxy Hussain was the standout performer with 4 for 24 from 6 overs. He was ably backed by a miserly spell from Joey Hawke (2 for 35 off 13) and the ever-reliable Dan Salpietro (1 for 15 off 10).
A special milestone was reached behind the stumps — Joe Martin completed his 100th Lancashire League stumping, becoming the first Lowerhouse player to achieve the feat.
The chase began explosively, with Jonny Whitehead and Ben Heap racing to 50 without loss in just 5 overs, and 67/0 after 6.3 when the heavens opened again. Lowerhouse were well ahead on Duckworth-Lewis calculations, but with only 6.3 overs bowled, the game couldn’t be classed as a result — 20 overs are needed to constitute a match.
A no-result, then, but House remain 14 points clear at the top of the First Division.
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