Church reached the final of the Lancashire League’s 20/20 competition with an eight-wicket win at Haslingden last Friday.

The hosts posted 150-4 before Harvey Aspin hit an unbeaten 97 to steer Church to victory inside 18 overs.

Haslingden won the toss at Bentgate and elected to bat but Lloyd Aspin swiftly claimed the hosts’ first wicket, Matt Griffin going for 1 in the first over.

Professional Brenton Parchment (8) soon followed with Church seamer Andrew Bentley picking up the wicket, leaving Haslingden 12-2 in just the second over.

Alex Coleman and Phil Hayes steadied the ship with a third-wicket partnership of 72 before Church spinner Phil Gilrane picked up Hayes for 26.

Kamran Basharat picked up Anthony Harris for 4 but the experienced Graham Knowles then joined Coleman, with the pair putting on 53 in six overs. Both finished unbeaten, with Knowles on 15 while Coleman top scored with 89.

Church’s reply got off to a bad start as key man Lloyd Aspin was bowled for 0 by Jake Neary with the score on 4.

Harvey Aspin then joined Levi Wolfenden and the pair put on 46 before Haslingden seamer Matt Griffin bowled Wolfenden for 13, leaving Church 50-2 in the eighth over.

Then a batting masterclass from pro Usman Tariq (39 not out) and Harvey Aspin sent Church into the final tonight (Friday) against holders Lowerhouse. who claimed a four-wicket win at Nelson.

The pair put on a unbroken stand of 103 from just over 10 overs, with Aspin hitting nine fours and five sixes - four of which went over the neighbouring houses at Bentgate! But it was Tariq who had the honour of hitting the winning runs, smashing a six out the ground off Graham Knowles.

- This year’s Worsley Cup final will feature Burnley and Rawtenstall. Holders Burnley beat Nelson by 76 runs on Sunday while Rawtenstall edged a one-wicket win against Lowerhouse in the other semi-final.