EGERTON have been crowned the Lancashire indoor cricket champions for the third successive season after winning this year’s competition at Old Trafford on Sunday.

An under-strength side, without three of last year’s title winning team, claimed two victories in the four-team round robin tournament, beating Saddleworth and Rainford and losing to Rainhill.

Saddleworth also won twice but were disqualified after fielding an ineligible player.

“It was a fantastic performance by the lads, considering we were missing Stuart Hornby, David Morris Jnr and Anthony Clegg from the side that won it last year,” said captain Will Halton.

“The lads that came in performed really well, with Scott Martin taking four catches and Adil Valli amongst the wickets.

"I have to say that our wicketkeeper, Danny Partington, was exceptional with the bat and the key to this victory.”

Partington was unbeaten in each of the three matches, forced to retire at 25 as part of the rules of the ECB competition.

Egerton qualified for the tournament after winning their third straight Anthony Axford Indoor Trophy last season.

The Lancashire competition is the first round of a national tournament, which concludes with a finals day at Lord’s.

They will face Derbyshire winners West Hallam at home in the next round, bidding to better their previous best in the completion by making it past the third round.