Lancashire League Handbook 2022

21 The highest individual score by a batsman was set by Division Two’s Great Harwood professional Thikshika de Silva with an unbeaten 219 against Bacup at the Cliffe on September 4th and during this innings a stand of 142 with Nazakat Hussain (21) created a new League 7th wicket partnership. Church set a new record for the highest team score with 400 for 4 at Rawtenstall on 19th June and this was the highest in Division two for the season. Top team score in Division One was from Norden with 374/4 at Walsden on 29th August when Josh Tolley made the highest individual score of 135 on his way to the League’s top amateur run total of 865. Clinton Perren of Littleborough achieved the most for an amateur in Division Two with 720. Top amateur score in Division Two was from Brad Boddie for Rishton at Haslingden with 137*. Highest score by a Professional in Division One was by James Price of Middleton with 140* on his return to former Club Colne. Most runs by Professional’s were 1109 in Division One by James Price and 1113 by Thikshika de Silva in Division Two for Great Harwood. Most League wickets by Professionals were 62 in Division One by Umesh Karunaratne of Walsden and 56 by Thikshika de Silva in Division Two. Best amateur hauls were 52 for David Bowden of Darwen in Division One and 47 for Toby Bulcock of Accrington in Division Two. Best amateur bowling performances were 6/21 for Jacob Clarke for Ramsbottom v Clitheroe at Chatburn Road and 7/20 by Andrew Bentley of Church against Bacup at the West End Ground. Top wicket keepers were Jamie Roche of Rochdale with 31 (D1) and Matt Donnelly of Greenmount with 35 (D2). There is little doubt that 2021 was one of the closest for some time and on the final day of the season we had all of the top three teams going into the last round of games with a chance of winning the championship, there was even a chance of a play off being needed to separate the sides. Darwen put the pressure on the other two clubs with an early win at Colne, dismissing the home side for 78 thanks to a return of 6 for 30 from David Bowden. John Cordingley and their substitute professional Geeth Kumara then put together a partnership to earn an 8 wicket victory and put Darwen top for the time being. At Turf Moor, Burnley, Norden were the visitors, top against second at the start of the day. Burnley won the toss, batted and made 206 for 5 from their 50 overs thanks mainly to a trademark 86 not out from professional Ockert Erasmus and 59 for wicket keeper Chris Burton. In reply Norden fell to 73 for 4 and despite Harvey Fitton top scoring with