Lancashire’ young all-rounder Andrea Agathangelou sizzled on an otherwise soggy afternoon to mark the start of the new Houldsworth Ribblesdale League season.
Settle’s decision to recruit the hugely-talented 23-year-old South African-born, Cypriot as stand-in professional for the first three games of the season, paid a handsome dividend as they opened the new season with victory at last year’s Senior League runners-up, Read.
Agathangelou, known as Aggers, hit a magnificent unbeaten 145 in the run feast at Whalley Road.
The Red Rose player’s thrilling innings, which contained 15 sixes and five fours, helped Settle to 243-6 off their 45 overs.
Settle must have been wary when they were asked to bat first on a green wicket.
Young openers Laurence Read and Peter Cook batted calmly as they shared a stand of 40.
Their efforts provided the foundation from which Aganthangelou launched his blistering assault.
He was well supported in a third-wicket partnership of 92 by stand-in skipper Eddy Read who made 37.
John Tarbox took a wicket with his fist ball of the season when Read replied.
Agathangelou (2-72) and spinner Andrew Davidson (2-70) were the most successful bowlers as Read were rerticted to 231-5 Elliott Artingstoll battled away for an unbeaten 98 , but couldn’t save his side from a 12-run defeat. Settle’s win was one of only two recorded on the opening afternoon of the new campaign.
Earby were the other victors as they edged out Cherry Tree on a faster scoring rate at Applegarth.
Bottom of the table last season, with just four victories, Earby restricted Cherry Tree to 134-8 in their 45 overs.
Daniel Kegg (3-39) was the pick of the bowlers while 17-year-old Shahid Rehman – brother of overseas player Fahid Rehman – took 2-19 on his debut.
Earby reached 78-3 in 21 overs to achieve their win. Opener Chrs Walton made an unbeaten 31. New pro Fahid Rehman was out for 13.
Despite the unwelcome early bad weather, a number of batsmen still impressed.
Liam Bedford made 106 for Barnoldswick as the champions began their defence against Ribblesdale League newcomers, Euxton.
Bedford’s impressive century came in a total of 242 as Oliver Marsden took 6-85 from 16.3 overs for the visitors.
Barnoldswick will be hoping for better luck with the weather as they prepare for this weekend’s double header fixtures.
SATURDAY, APRIL 13
Senior League: Barnoldswick 242 (Liam Bedford 106, Oliver Marsden 6-85), Euxton 43-3 (aban); Baxenden 150-1 (Babar Naeem 102) Whalley (aban); Padiham 184-6, Brooksbottom (aban), Great Harwood 144-7, Clitheroe 20-0 (aban); Cherry Tree 134-8, Earby 78-3 (Earby won on faster scoring rate); Edenfield v Salesbury (aban); Oswaldtwistle Immanuel 174-9 (Ian Britcliffe 5-72), Ribblesdale Wanderers (aban); Read 231-5 (Elliott Artingstoll 98no), Settle 243-6 (Andrea Agathangelou 145no).
Division One: Read 205-6 (Kieren Grimshaw 50), Cherry Tree (aban); Feniscowles 137, Brinscall (aban); Padiham 103-4 Burnley Belvedere 76-1 (aban); Ribblesdale Wanderers 161-5, Earby 8-1 (aban); Barnoldswick 90-2, Salesbury (aban), Clith- eroe 162-5, Settle (aban).
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Senior Division: Barnoldswick v Brooksbottom, Baxenden v Cherry Tree, Clitheroe v Settle, Earby v Ribblesdale Wanderers, Edenfield v Whalley, Euxton v Great Harwood , Read v Salesbury, Oswaldtwistle Immanuel v Padiham.
SUNDAY, APRIL 21
Senior Division: Padiham v Earby, Ribblesdale Wanderers v Baxenden, Salesbury v Clitheroe Settle v Euxton, Whalley v Read, Great Harwood v Barnoldswick, Brooksbottom v Oswaldtwistle Immanuel, Cherry Tree v Edenfield.
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