LAST week’s BSF Ladies Rounders League matches saw the first round of the Cup and Shield competitions take place and only two games failed to be completed on schedule.

In a Horwich Shield match, Tonge Fold XI and Little Cocker C scored 566 runs between them before Tonge Fold declared at 288-278 with the scorers keeping a close watch on the situation as light faded.

Dena Lowe scored 68 for Tonge Fold in the first innings and Alison Whitehead recorded 42 on their way to an innings total of 264 and a lead of 129.

But Sheena Loughran added 38 to her first innings tally of 24 and Katie Loughran contributed 35 to give Little Cockers 143 and make Tonge Fold bat again.

Northwest Hydraulics have lost two of the three games in Section B, but triumphed in the Chadwick Cup against Claremont Ladies who have a similar record in Section A after being promoted.

Claremont led 77-54 after the first innings but Hydraulics fought back to win 177-153, thanks largely to 29 runs by Lauren Drew, 22 by Tracy Jones and 20 from Alison Hubber.

The Chadwick Cup game at Heaton Cricket Club was abandoned after rain made the ground slippery and the referee stopped play because players from both sides were falling and in danger of injury.

The other abandoned match was in the Horwich Shield, but was stopped at 9.30pm when the light gave out.

In the first innings, Horwich Town B had scored 181 runs and 25th Bolton Ladies a remarkable 334, which suggested the players could bat but had difficulty fielding.

The top scorer for 25th Bolton was Caitlyn Page with 75 runs, followed by Ella Mason (67) and Holly Grainger (61), but their efforts were to no avail as the game would have to be replayed from scratch.

It may be gratifying and exciting for players to knock up high scores, but they have to bear in mind the possibility of having the game abandoned.

It is, however, difficult to judge when to declare an innings, but declaring a first innings does not mean they cannot bat a second time if necessary.

Horwich Town B have already had two abortive attempts at completing their week one league game against Little Cocker C and will be hoping it is third-time lucky when they start at 11am on Sunday.

Mr Greys and Top Bull Diamonds have also had two attempts at completing a league game, but successfully finished their Pike Shield match on Tuesday with Mr Greys winning by 20 runs after leading by 32 on the first innings.

Tonight’s crunch Section A match is at Darcy Lever CC where Darcy Lever C&SC A play Rupert Ladies A.