AFTER the complete washout a week ago, the T20 area finals at Bradshaw got under way on Sunday, under almost unbroken sunshine.

Not that the day was without its problems. As the Lostock and Moorside skippers were tossing for innings before the first match, the umpires realised two of the Moorside players were ineligible. Fortunately, they had one replacement already on the ground and the other arrived during the first innings.

The Flanagans, David and Peter, made fully use of the five-over power play, when only two fielders are allowed outside the fielding circle, losing Peter in the ninth over for 17, with the score 93. Connor Hicklin departed the following over, but these setbacks did not seem to be affecting David Flanagan who continued smashing the ball to all parts of the ground – and quite frequently outside it.

The innings closed on 233-2 after the 20 overs, Flanagan's 136 containing seven sixes and 17 fours. Meanwhile his partner Alex Senior played his part in a century partnership with 59 from just 37 deliveries.

Moorside's early batsmen also took advantage of the power play, hitting over 60 runs in the five overs, but crucially they also lost two wickets.

At the half way point they were close to the required run rate and an exciting finish seemed in prospect with Richard Harrington making a half century.

However, the later batsmen were unable to maintain the momentum and the team was dismissed for 162, Rob Holgate and Tom Mills taking two wickets each.

The second semi-final pitted favourites Ormskirk against Chorley, with the former winning the toss and electing to bat. Again the batting side made full use of the power play despite losing Ian Robinson for 10.

Andrew Baybutt and George Lavelle took the score from 26 to 112 and, after Lavelle was out for 69 from just 36 balls, his team mates continued to plunder the bowling despite three wickets for Stuart Naden. While not quite matching Lostock's total of 233, 218 was still a very good total.

Chorley lost a wicket in the first over and never really recovered. Struggling to score even during the power play half the team had been dismissed with the score on just 65.

Andrew Holdsworth, and Kyle Dixon with 40 from 17 balls. staged a partial recovery, but the damage had been done, and the innings ended on 156-9. Tom Hartley finished with an excellent 4-26 for his four overs and Jack Snowden took 3-36.

Lostock batted first in the final losing hero of the first match David Flanagan in the first over. Peter Flanagan and Connor Hicklin were responsible for a half century

partnership, but against a good bowling attack progress was relatively slow. Nick Jeffs contributed 33 from 17 balls, but the innings ended on 139-9, Ryan Maddox taking a remarkable 3-9 from his four overs and Jack Snowden making his total of dismissals six for the day.

An opening partnership of 45 gave Ormskirk a comfortable start, with Ian Robinson making 43 from 16 balls.

George Lavelle scored 57 not out from 25 deliveries and the game was won by one of the best teams in the country by seven wickets in just over 12 overs, although a couple of dropped catches made Ormskirk's task easier.

Ormskirk are now in the quarter-finals of the T20 and National 40-over competitions, along with the Lancashire KO semi-final.