THORNTON were struggling on 13-3 at Copley when the rain cut short their Halifax League Premier Division clash.

The hosts scored a respectable 147-5, Oliver Thorpe (53) top-scoring with a half-century, in a match reduced to 37 overs before Thornton’s reply was abandoned after just 9.5 overs.

Jacob Linsel (13.1-10-16-5), of First Division leaders Blackley, caused all sorts of problems for the visiting batsmen of Great Horton Park Chapel, who were bowled out for 138 in 38.1 overs.

The home team were unlucky in their chase as they had rattled up 70-1 in only 11.1 overs - just 22 runs short of a revised target of 92 when the rain came, Adam Turner scoring 34 runs in 23 balls.

Clayton were indebted to John Hartley (62no) as he hit the majority of the 101-4 scored in 29.1 overs against Bradshaw. The visitors were well on course for their target, at 58-2 in 11 overs, only for the weather to intervene.

In Division Two at Queensbury, Greetland posted 162-6 in 28 overs, with the in-form Daniel Reynolds (65) and Paul Quarmby (65) top-scoring. But the match was abandoned after 10 overs of the Queensbury reply with 59-2 showing on the scoreboard.

Luddendenfoot were 60 runs short of victory, with all wickets intact and 23 overs remaining, when their top-of-the-table clash with Low Moor Holy Trinity was washed out.

Trinity had struggled to 107-6 in their 29 overs with only Mark Stokes (48) making any impression. The Foot were well on target with eight-runs an over on the scoreboard at 48-0 when the rain came.

Cullingworth were 46-6 at home to Leymoor when their match was cut short.