Hooson ton as Walsden finish on a high

A generally tight bowling display, led by pro Umesh Karunaratne (three for 31 off 14) restricted the visitors to 152 for eight.

Walsden, who will be part of the new Pennine League next season, lost only overseas amateur Shubham Harkel (11) as Hooson and skipper Nick Barker (32 no) wrapped up victory in only the 24th over of the reply.

Todmorden have finished an improved eighth in the Lancashire League in spite of a five-wicket defeat away to champions Burnley in their finale.

The visitors to Turf Moor made 178 for seven, Simon Newbitt passing 7,000 Lancashire League runs on his way to 20. Substitute professional Tharanga Paranavitana top scored with 52.

Martin Harlow made an unbeaten 22 and ended a fine first season for the Centre Vale club with another couple of wickets, taking his tally to 62.

Burnley were in bother at 87 for five but Chris Burton and Michael Kelly each hit an unbeaten 44 to frustrate the visitors and clinch victory.

LANCASHIRE LEAGUE

Burnley v Todmorden

Burnley won by 5 wickets. Burnley 10 pts, Todmorden 1 pt.

TODMORDEN 178 for seven

SD Newbitt c Burton b Liaqat 20

B Pearson c and b Holt 24

N Paranavitana c Clare b Holt 52

E Gilford lbw b B Tripathi 8

K Garland c and b B Tripathi 8

A Sutcliffe st Burton b B Tripathi 2

C Dewhirst lbw b Holt 9

M Harlow not out 22

K Gee not out 8

Extras 25

Bowling: Lawson 3 0 25 0, Liaqat 7 0 39 1, Hayman 9 0 35 0, Holt 17 3 45 3, B Tripathi 14 2 31 3

BURNLEY 179 for five

V Tripathi c Priestley b Harlow 14

D Brown lbw b Paranavitana 42

C Holt c Pearson b Paranavitana 0

J Clare c Pearson b Harlow 9

C Burton not out 44

D Pickup c Pearson b Sutcliffe 0

M Kelly not out 44

Extras 26

Bowling: Harlow 17 3 56 2, Doyle 5.4 2 19 0, Paranavitana 10 1 45 2, Gilford 0.2 0 1 0, Sutcliffe 6 0 26 1, Gee 3.3 0 21 0, Garland 1 0 2 0.

CENTRAL LANCASHIRE LEAGUE

Walsden v Royton

Walsden won by 9 wkts. Walsden 4 pts, Royton 0 pts.

ROYTON 152 for eight

C Jewell c Howley b Shackleton 0

C Porteous c Howley b S Barker 2

P Horton c Josh Gale b Joe Gale 60

M Smith b S Barker 4

S Fielding b Karunaratne 5

J Greaves c N Barker b Karunaratne 21

C Joy b Joe Gale 5

A Good b Karunaratne 1

D Hulme not out 12

L Brown not out 25

Extras 17

Bowling: J Shackleton 11 7 11 1, S Barker 12 4 23 2, U Karunaratne 14 4 31 3, Josh Gale 5 0 29 0, 5 Joe Gale 6 0 41 2, J Hooson 2 0 8 0.

WALKSDEN 156 for one

J Hooson not out 107

S Harkel c Joy b Good 11

N Barker not out 32

Extras 6

Bowling: A Good 12 3 53 1, S Fielding 2 0 20 0, M Smith 3 0 28 0, C Porteous 4 0 26 0, L Brown 2 0 17 0, J Royales 0.4 0 12 0.