Blackrod, Padiham and Salesbury are all safely into round two of the Lancashire Knockout Cup after Sunday victories. But Little Lever fell at the first hurdle.
The top four teams from the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Premiership division qualify for the countywide 45-over competition each season.
Reigning champions Blackrod beat Cheetham Gladiators from the Greater Manchester Amateur Cricket League, Padiham won at Cheshire Lines of the Southport and District Amateur Cricket League, while Salesbury won at former Bolton League side Egerton, who now ply their trade in the Greater Manchester Cricket League.
Meanwhile, Little Lever were beaten away by GMCL side Roe Green.
Hosts Blackrod were winners by 75 runs against Cheetham at their Vicarage Road home.
Thushendra De Zoysa top-scored with a run-a-ball 45 in their 213 all out having elected to bat, with Arslan Dar, Adil Ali and Muhammad Arslandar all claiming three wickets for the Gladiators, who never got going in their chase.
Matthew Readey took the new ball and claimed two wickets in 138 all out, though Sri Lankan professional Navod Paranavithana ended up with the pick of the figures – 4-13 from from 5.3 overs. His left-arm spin accounted for the last four wickets to fall.
Salesbury’s South African professional Garnett Tarr was their hero with a brilliant 116 off 82 balls from number three, including three sixes, as they produced an impressive chase of 285 to win at Egerton by four wickets with 10 balls to spare.
Tarr had an outstanding day. He also claimed 3-43 from eight overs of off-spin as Egerton totalled 284-7 having elected to bat, including an excellent opening 111 not out off 109 balls from Pakistani professional Abid Ali.
Toby Furbush also contributed a crucial 46 to Salesbury’s successful chase.
Visitors Padiham brushed aside Cheshire Lines by 89 runs.
Wicketkeeper-batter Tom Turner top-scored with a middle order 36, while former captain Owen Deakin-Pickard contributed a late unbeaten 26 in Padiham’s 186 all out after they elected to bat.
In reply, the Southport and District side were skittled for 97 inside 21 overs as the wickets were shared around.
South African overseas amateur Zander van Tonder claimed 3-13 from four overs, while Ben Swindells and professional Iftikhar Naseer added two wickets apiece.
Unfortunately, Little Lever were unable to make it a full house of NWCL sides progressing through to round two as they were bowled out for 121 chasing 259 at Roe Green.
Luke Williams top-scored with a middle order 79 for the GMCL side as they posted a commanding 258-8 having won the toss. Adil Nisar’s 3-43 from eight overs led the way for the inaugural NWCL champions from 2023.
Unfortunately, Little Lever’s chase slipped to 6-2.
And while Cameron Murray steadied the ship with 49 off 37 balls, it wasn’t enough and the Boltonians slipped to a heavy 137-run defeat – bowled out inside 26 overs – as only three batters posted double-figure scores.
The second round of five in this LKO competition takes place on Sunday June 8, with a blockbuster tie between hosts Blackrod and Padiham standing out.
Salesbury also face a mouthwatering home tie against Blackpool, who play their cricket in the new Northern Pyramid Premier League competition. Blackpool beat Rainford on Sunday in round one.
