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League News: Bhelchandra in fine form again

By Andrew Collomosse

17 June 1998


INDIAN all-rounder Arothe Bhelchandra has made an excellent start to his second season as Royton's professional in the Central Lancashire League, helping them into third place with a series of fine performances.

He produced another one at the weekend as Royton came out on top against Norden, claiming four for 57 as Norden were restricted to 140 for six despite a half century from Pakistan Test player Asif Mujtaba.

Then Bhelchandra hit an unbeaten 62 to ease his side to a nine-wicket win that keeps them in contention for the title behind leaders Littleborough and Oldham.

Across the Pennines, there was a surprise in the Yorkshire Champions Trophy when Harden, of the Bradford Central League, beat Hemsworth, champions of the Yorkshire Council Pontefract Section, by nine wickets, Andy Moules leading them home with 84 not out.

A fine innings of 85 from Notts all-rounder Alex Wharf helped Bradford League champions Undercliffe to beat Harrogate, of the Yorkshire League, by seven wickets in the only other tie to beat the weather on a wretched weekend.

Indeed, the Tyneside Senior League is having its third worst summer with 32 per cent of the programme wiped out. Other leagues in the North-East have suffered a similar fate.

Liverpool Competition leaders Bootle were also kept inside by the weather, enabling Ormskirk to close the gap at the top with a seven-wicket win over Southport. Chasing 209, Ormskirk get home by seven wickets, skipper David Snellgrove following bowling figures of four for 51 with a decisive 75.

Two clubs suffered their first defeat of the season. In the Bolton Association, Standish went down by four wickets with one over to spare against Adlington, for whom Andrew Robinson hit a half century.

In the Merseyside Competition there was a major surprise for leaders St Asaph. They looked on their way to another victory when they bowled out Buckley for 130, Australian batsman Neil Schlittler claiming five for 43.

However, when Schlittler was dismissed without scoring, the wheels came off in a big way, allowing bottom club Buckley to score a 24-run victory over the leaders, who have never beaten Buckley since joining the league three years ago.

Today's cricket

11am start unless stated.

BRITANNIC COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIP (1st day of 4) - Riverside: Durham v Yorks. Cardiff: Glamorgan v Leics (12); Basingstoke: Hants v Derbys; Canterbury: Kent v Notts; Northampton: Northants v Middlesex (12); Bath: Somerset v Essex; Hove: Sussex v Warwicks (1); Worcester: Worcs v Gloucs.

AXA LEAGUE - Old Trafford: Lancs v Surrey (5.05).

2ND XI- Championship, 2nd day of 4: Trent Bridge: Notts v Leics. Middlesbrough: Yorks v Durham. 1st day of 3: Panteg: Glamorgan v Essex. Finchampstead: Hants v Derbys. Lensbury: Middlesex v Worcs. Taunton: Somerset v Kent. Oval: Surrey v Northants. Coventry & N Warwicks: Warwicks v Sussex. Other match (2nd day of 4): Ramsbottom: Lancs v England U-19.

MINOR COUNTIES CHAMPIONSHIP (2nd day of 2) - Wisbech: Cambs v Northumberland (grade). Longton: Staffs v Bucks.


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Date-stamped : 07 Oct1998 - 04:18