WHAT A debut!

Everyone rated Accrington professional Nishit Shetty but he exploded onto the Sponsorbank Lancashire League scene on Sunday.

The Indian all-rounded hit a massive 155 in his first game for Accrington as they beat Colne in a 79-run win in surprisinly sunny weather.

"He was outstanding," said Accrington skipper Matt Wilson, whose side finished bottom last season but now top the league.

"We had a friendly on Saturday and he got 70 so we knew there was plenty more to come.

"You don't usually get a pro who hits 155 in his first game with the conditions so it is brilliant. And he batted through and just made it look so easy.

"We won without him bowling either. He hurt his knee so he couldn't. I said as long as he gets 155 every game he doesn't need to bowland he said he would bear that in mind!"

Former Bolton League paid man Shetty hit 13 fours and six sixes off just 149 balls as they made 242-3.

Matt was also happy his own show as he chipped in with 39.

"I think four times out of the last six opening days, I have got ducks so I am just pleased to get some runs on the board.

"Colne did start off flying but we got a couple of wickets and the game was over."

David Ormerod, on his return to Thorneyholme Road from Bacup, was the star bowler with 4-42.

All the other Hyndburn clubs were celebrating too.

Rishton pro Ruven Peiris continued where he left off last season with an unbeaten 105 - with 12 boundaries and two sixes - to help them to a 17 run win over Nelson.

And skipper Phil Sykes was relieved as he got in the runs early on in the season with 62 in their 206-4. Last season Sykes took a while to get going but he was after a good start - and he got it.

And Sri Lankan Peiris then showed off his bowling skills taking 5-48 to make it an enjoyable start to the season for Church.

Rishton were involved in a tight battle with one of the title favourites Ramsbottom.

The Blackburn Road outfit, without captain Peter Sleep who is competing for the Australian Over 35 team in Bermuda, made 133.

Openers Shaun Wyse (42) and John Cordingley (28) made a solid start but they rest fell away under the bowling of professional Sunil Joshi who took a staggering 6-11.

However, after a good start, it was the Rishton bowlers who then took over with Richard Rostron and pro Vernon Philander destroying the Ramsbottom lower order to make it a nail-biting finale as Rishton won by a solitary run.

And not to be outdone, Enfield came up with the goods in their clash with a 14-run win over another of the title favourites Haslingden.

Alviro Petersen was able to make the start of the season which was a boost for Enfield and he chipped in with 42.

Sam Reidy amassed 34 but Enfield only managed 143-7 and it was another tense game.

However their bowlers got off to a good start with former Accrington pro Tama Canning sent back to the pavilion for a duck on his Haslingden debut.

He was one of Petersen's victims as the South African took the first three wickets for just three runs.

Despite a late rally, Enfield ensured it was four out of four for the Hyndburn teams to give them all a stunning start to the new campaign.

  • GREAT Harwood got off to a winning start as they look to claim their first Ribblesdale League title in more than 100 years - but it wasn't one way traffic.

Harwood faced Edenfield in their opening fixture and Edenfield made 110-9 with the wickets shared.

The Cliffe Park side must have expected a comfortable ride after that but openers Matthew Howarth (0) and Russell Whalley (six) fell cheaply.

However highly-rated new pro Gyan Pandey's 54 saw them through to a two wicket win.

Baxenden won't be happy after slipping to an early loss to Whalley.

New professional Jonathan Fielding (30) and Simon Payne (33) made the most important contributions with the bat in their 156-8 but Whalley batted well.

Oswaldtwistle Immanuel were on the losing side as, apart from Anwar Saeed (33) and Paul Dignan (33), no one else could register a big score in their 105-9.

Padiham passed the total with eight wickets to spare.