ENFIELD Cricket Club were counting the cost of Alviro Petersen's century against Burnley.

The South African - freshly arrived for his first game of his campaign - lost the club around six balls as he whacked them into the nearby garden centre.

He hit seven fours and six sixes in an 88-ball knock of 102 which inspired the Dill Hall Lane side to his first win of the season.

"He was buzzing after helping his side back home in South Africa win their 20-20 cup final," said captain David Bracewell.

"He had got man of the match and was around 80 not out there and he came here still thinking he was playing 20-20 cricket!

"We kept telling him how expensive the balls were. I think about 12 went over but we managed to get some back - but lost about six!"

Bracewell admitted that the arrival of the "The Virus" - who was the Enfield pro last summer as well - was a big boost for the club.

"He just gave us a big lift. It is hard when you get sub pros but we know what he is all about and he was buzzing when he landed - and hasn't stopped."

While Petersen won the headlines, Mas Ahmed grabbed 20, Adam Bracewell made a hard-earned 24 while Mitch Taylor notched 35 to take the score along.

"That was the good thing - everyone chipped in," continued the captain. "Last week, against Haslingden, we were 130-4 with ten overs left and collapsed but this time we stuck with it. We would have been happy with 210 so 230 was a bonus."

Having made sure they did the work with the bat, the captain then turned on the style with the ball taking a career-best 6-52 to see off the Burnley challenge by 79 runs.

"I haven't bowled that much in recent years because of injury so it was nice to get six wickets. I got five a few years ago but I haven't had six so it was good that things worked out for me.

"We know how the wickets play at home and we bowled a better line and length than Burnley and it went our way.

"Now we just have to try and do what Church and Rawtenstall did last year and put a bit of a run together."

Petersen also picked up three wickets while wicketkeeper Andy Higgins took four catches.

And they will hope for a similar show at Ramsbottom tomorrow especially as the skipper knows the danger their Indian pro Kartik Murali represents.

"I think last season he got something like 8-20 against us so we know what he is all about," said the captain. "He is a difficult player to play against but we just have to hope Alviro can keep him at bay and we can all chip in with the runs again."

And then it is Rawtenstall on Sunday at Dill Hall Lane.

"Both Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom are in the same situation as us as they have won one of their three games so far but we have just got to get some consistency together.

"The thing about this league is that, on paper, only Haslingden could walk away with the title as they have strength in depth.

"But any other teams are capable of beating each other on the day and that is what makes it so interesting."

Rishton also got off the mark for the season with Sri Lankan pro Kumar Dharmasena coming up with the goods.

Todmorden made just 103-7 with Dharmasena taking four wickets and Peter Sleep two.

And Dharmasena then hit 57 not out and put on a third wicket stand of 88 with Jimmy Bibby - back in the fold after a six year break - to give Rishton an eight wicket victory.

Scott Greaves side visit Nelson on Saturday before tackling Burnley at Blackburn Road on Sunday.

While Enfield and Rishton were celebrating, it was a disappointing weekend for title hopefuls Church.

Pro Ruven Peiris once more starred with the bat with 90 - including 12 boundaries - and Adam Greenwood made 43 as they set Rawtenstall the target of 204-6.

But Chris Cook-Martin made 92 for Rawtenstall and then a ninth wicket stand of 21 sealed a win for the visitors with two wickets and one over to spare.

And this was despite Philip Gilrane taking 5-91.

They will be hoping for a better weekend when they take on Burnley and East Lancs.

And Accrington are still on the hunt for their first win of the campaign - but they were up against champions Haslingden on Sunday.

Pro Tama Canning returned to action after he missed one game last weekend with a sore knee but he couldn't prove their inspiration as they made just 99.

Mohsin Ahmed made 49 - with four fours - but only Canning (10) and Andrew Greenwood (13) made it into double figures.

And despite the early loss of Graham Knowles, Haslingden cruised to a six wicket win to make it 48 points out of 48 so far this season and show that they mean business.

Accrington face Lowerhouse and bottom club Bacup this weekend but will call on sub professionals for the injured Canning.

  • IN a first for the Lancashire League, they will hold a 20/20 competition this season sponsored by Thwaites Brewery.

Twelve of the Lancashire League clubs will take part with Enfield and Todmorden deciding against it.

The matches will be played on Thursday or Friday in June.

The winners will then take part in a finals day where they will face the winners of the Ribblesdale, Northern and pssibly Central Lancashire League sections.

In the first round Accrington, Church and Rishton all have byes.

The second round will be 16/17 June and Church will face Bacup or Colne while Accrington make the trip to Rishton.