Championship duo Earby and Ribblesdale Wanderers claimed thrilling second-round victories over Premiership opposition on Sunday as they beat Lostock and Salesbury respectively to qualify for the quarter-finals of the Hamer Cup.
Earby’s win over Lostock came as they survived an eye-catching opening partnership of 203 between home captain James Evans with 92 off 105 balls and 105 off 121 for Matthew Lamb.
They batted for 37 overs, but only 16 more runs came from the last three, with captain Chris Walton and Joe Robinson finishing with two wickets apiece in a 219-4.
Earby then slipped to 39-4, but their hero was Sri Lankan professional Dunith Jayathunga, who opened the batting and hit a stunning 119 not out off 107 balls with four sixes, including hitting the winning runs.
Earby had fallen from 204-6 to 218-9 but held on to advance.
There were also victories for defending champions Read and last season’s Premiership winners Blackrod in round two.
Visitors Ribblesdale Wanderers made a commanding 261-4 at Salesbury thanks in the main to Sri Lankan pro Heshan Dhanushka’s excellent unbeaten 91 off 78 balls with a trio of sixes.
Likewise, Salesbury’s South African pro Garnett Tarr was on top form, responding with a brutal 95 off 60 balls with seven sixes as he recovered the chase from 46-3.
But when he departed to Abrar Hussain, leaving the score at 159-4 in the 20th over, it was always going to be a tough ask to get another 102. And so it proved.
Salesbury were bowled out for 252 with three balls remaining, with Michael Worthy claiming four wickets having taken the new ball.
Reigning champions Read continued their remarkable start to 2025 with a seven-wicket win away at Premiership rivals Farnworth Social Circle chasing 135.
Nizam Vaid claimed a trio of wickets for Read as they bowled Social Circle out for 134. Joe Halstead, Chris Holt and Sehan Weerasinghe all struck twice each.
Captain Will Wrathall then anchored the chase with a measured unbeaten 65 to keep their hopes of a title defence alive.
Read have now won all 10 matches they have played in league and cup cricket this summer.
Blackrod claimed a seven-wicket win at home to Atherton, who they bowled out for only 84 thanks in the main to Renaldo Holder’s new-ball five-for.
Bajan overseas amateur Holder’s seam was backed up by three wickets for opening partner Matthew Readey and two wickets for Sri Lankan professional Navod Paranavithana, who then top-scored in a routine chase completed inside 21 overs.
Padiham, second in the Premiership, avoided a shock as they won at Championship leaders Cherry Tree by 56 runs.
Callum Clarke top-scored with 46 in Padiham’s 147-8 from their 40 overs before the hosts were bowled out for 91. Ben Swindells opened the bowling and struck three times.
Cherry Tree were hurt by the loss of professional Mini Bhada, who only bowled five overs and then didn’t bat.
Baxenden captain Ben Ross didn’t bat either as they were knocked out at Tonge, bowled out for 90 in reply to the home side’s commanding 221-4 total.
Opener Alex Rodzoch shone. He made 67 off 95 balls, sharing a second-wicket stand of 109 from 33-1 with Sri Lankan pro Hashan Dumindu, who top-scored with 76 off 77.
Rodzoch then claimed three wickets in a defence which saw all six bowlers used by Tonge captain Conor Lord, including himself, take at least one wicket. Dumindu was one of those with a solitary strike.
Little Lever are safely into the last eight having cruised beyond hosts Astley Bridge by seven wickets chasing 148.
Australian overseas amateur Ryleigh Cameron had a day to remember with 5-34 from eight overs to bowl Bridge out for 147 before hitting 32 off 19 balls opening the batting.
He shared an opening stand of 54 in six overs with Cameron Murray, who went on to top score with 50 off 37.
And Brinscall won the battle of two Championship strugglers, beating Walkden at home by four wickets chasing 175.
Matt Gillett and Finley Best equally shared six wickets in Walkden’s 174 all out, the hosts reeling in their target thanks largely to South African OA Richard Williams, who top-scored with a well-paced 55.
