Last year’s beaten finalists Little Lever are into the semi-finals of the Anthony Axford North West Cricket League’s Hamer Cup after a pulsating three-wicket win over Tonge during a weather-disrupted Sunday of action as they chased just 97.
Captain Josh Gent and co were the only side to make it through, with the other three ties either not starting or starting and not finishing because of rain.
That means the reserve day of Sunday, July 6 will come into play for Earby versus Blackrod, Ribblesdale Wanderers versus defending champions Read and Brinscall against Padiham.
The latter was the only last-eight tie not to start. The other two matches will restart from where they were halted.
For Little Lever, however, they can put their feet up on the first Sunday in July and wait for the semi-final draw to take place.
They bowled Tonge out for 96 inside 34 overs, the hosts indebted to a superb 4-14 from eight overs for Pakistani professional Muhammad Junaid, who bowls left-arm spin.
Andy Flear and Cameron Murray also struck twice apiece to rout a Tonge side with only two batters making it beyond 10. South African overseas amateur Justin Gilliland opened with 32 and Sri Lankan pro Hashan Dumindu made 22.
In fact, Tonge lost their last nine wickets for the addition of only 32 runs from 64-1.
Australian OA Ryleigh Cameron then set the chase off nicely with an opening 39 off 25 balls, including two sixes. But he was one of six wickets to fall for 46, from 45-1, to give Tonge a slither of a chance at 91-7.
However, Flear, from number eight in the order, ensured Little Lever got over the line in only the 16th over of the chase, hitting a six and the winning boundary in 13 not out off 10 balls.
Championship side Earby will resume their quarter-final on 64-2 from 16 overs chasing 225 at home to reigning Premiership champions Blackrod, who totalled 224-5 from their 40 overs.
Thushendra De Zoysa top-scored for Blackrod with a measured 69, while Luke Hipgrave struck twice for Earby.
That Sri Lankan pro Dunith Jayathunga is unbeaten on 21 in the early stages of the Earby chase will give them confidence that a shock is on the cards.
The other game which started, between Ribblesdale Wanderers and defending champions Read, is a clash between the current league leaders in both the Championship and Premiership divisions respectively.
Visitors Read have the definite advantage having posted 261-7 from 40 overs before taking two early wickets. Wanderers will resume in just under a fortnight on 47-2 after 10 overs.
Read’s commanding total was achieved thanks to opener and captain Will Wrathall, who made 87 off 107 balls with three sixes and Sri Lankan pro Sehan Weerasinghe, who top-scored a brutal 94 off 61 with four sixes included.
They shared a third-wicket 135 from 46-2.
Wanderers will, like Earby, take heart from the fact their pro is unbeaten at the crease – Sri Lankan Heshan Dhanushka having 11 to his name.
