By Graham Hardcastle

Little Lever captain Josh Gent hailed his on-song bowling attack as they struck again to secure a big home win over Lostock which puts them joint top of the embryonic Premiership table after three rounds of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League.

In pursuit of a revised 223 in 42 overs at Victory Road on Saturday, Lostock were bowled out for just 77 inside 28 overs, handing the hosts a 12-point, 145-run win.

It means they sit joint top on 36 points alongside Farnworth Social Circle, Salesbury and Ribblesdale Wanderers, who have also won all three games.

“Three good wins, and nobody’s scored more than 80 against us yet, which is obviously credit our bowlers,” said Gent, having previously bowled Earby out for 76 and Read out for 77.

Left-arm new ball seamer Curtis Anderton has starred, claimed 10 wickets so far this season, including 5-25 from 14 overs on Saturday. 

“Curtis has bowled really well,” continued Gent. “He’s taken nine wickets in the last two games – four last week and five this – so he’s off to a good start.

“Nipun Gaikwad, our overseas amateur, has also bowled well (2-17), and Naeem Patel came in and got the big wicket of their pro, Akbar Ur Rehman. He’s had him out three times now. Everybody’s chipping in, doing a little bit, and that’s the sign of a good team.”

A lot of the focus has been on Little Lever’s signing of South Australia captain and batter Jake Lehmann as their professional. So, in many ways, the bowling has flown under the radar.

“Jake does bowl good left-arm spin as well,” said Gent. “And he’s not had a chance to bowl yet in the two games he’s played because our amateur bowlers have done such a good job. They’ve been fantastic.”

Gent’s earlier comment about everybody chipping in extends to Little Lever’s batting as well.

Saturday was the perfect example as they posted 218-8 from 42 overs, with rain reducing their innings by three overs. 

Six batters all reached double figures, led by left-handed Lehmann’s unbeaten 52 off 48 balls from number four. Adam Carter also made 49 from number five and wicketkeeper Jake Wilde a late 31 off 13.

“Jake’s flipped this game on its head,” said Gent, who was inevitably asked about the other Jake – Lehmann.

“He played the situation beautifully. He dug in at the start, knocked it around, and before we came off for rain he just got into rhythm and started smashing it. Then when we went back out, he only batted another two or three overs.

“He’s a top bloke, one of the nicest people I’ve met in cricket.

“He wants to get involved in everything at the club, coaching the juniors, being around the lads – everything. He’s an absolute diamond, and he cares deeply about doing well for this club.

And on his team’s aims for 2023, Gent was clear: “I’ve said it every time I’ve been asked this in recent years. If you don’t set out in a season to go and win the league, what’s the point in playing?

Salesbury continued their winning start and maintained their place amidst the log-jam at the top of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Premiership table with a thrilling success over Walkden on Saturday.

The Ribchester Road side are one of four who have won all three matches so far and sit on 36 points at the summit; Farnworth Social Circle, Little Lever and Ribblesdale Wanderers the others. 

Saturday’s standout individual performance, meanwhile, came as Farnworth’s Indian overseas amateur quick Yatin Mangwani claimed a remarkable 9-34 from 13.3 overs in a five-wicket win over Eagley. 

Salesbury’s latest success came in nail-biting fashion on home soil, by two wickets chasing a revised 130 target in 45 overs having been 69-7.

Lewis Pearson starred with 72 not out off 52 balls from number five, coming in at 25-3. He shared 42 for the eighth wicket with Oliver Wetton (19) and then, from 111-8, an unbroken 22 for the ninth with Elliott Simpson (four) as the 12 points were secured in the 25th over. 

Pearson had earlier struck twice in Walkden’s 156 all out.

Wicketkeeper-batter Andrew Needham scored a fabulous 143 off 129 for Ribblesdale Wanderers from number three, underpinning 234-7 from 45 overs at home to Feniscowles, who were bowled out for 76 in the face of a revised 226 in 42 overs.

Jordan Britcliffe took the new ball and returned 5-28 from 12.

Farnworth Social Circle beat Read by 80 runs. After Social Circle posted 229-7 in 45 overs, the visitors were bowled out for 134 chasing a revised 215 in 41. 

Social Circle’s West Indian professional Jameel Stewart hit 93 before spinner Chris Barrow shone with 8-41 from 14 overs. Little Lever beat Lostock in our featured match. 

Just down the road from Piggott Park, at Bridgeman Park, Farnworth’s Mangwani enjoyed a memorable day. 

The former India Under 19s fast bowler claimed five of his nine wickets bowled as Eagley were skittled for 73, Farnworth later sealing victory by five wickets. 

His heroics sparked a scramble for the record books to check on the club’s best ever individual haul. 

Rain again played its part across the league. Settle’s frustrations continued at Atherton, who were 18-0 chasing 191 when play was abandoned. Amongst the pre-season title favourites, Settle have now won one added to two rainy abandonments.

Astley Bridge sit fifth with two wins, their latest coming at home to Earby by seven wickets chasing 116 with 16 overs remaining. South African pro Lesiba Ngoepe claimed 5-30 from nine overs. 

Blackrod also won at Baxenden – all out for 186 – by 47 runs having posted 233-4.

Barnoldswick’s Sri Lankan pro Upul Indrasiri claimed 6-42 with his left-arm spinners to bowl Kearsley out for 206 before South African opener Justin Gilliland’s unbeaten 64 – their overseas amateur – secured a six-wicket away win. 

There were five-wicket hauls for Jacksons Charles and Frankie as Oswaldtwistle Immanuel beat Brinscall (86 all out chasing 127) and Whalley (131-6 chasing a revised 129 from 45 overs) beat Cherry Tree respectively.