It's seventh heaven for Longridge bowling ace Millward

The opening bowler took a superlative 7-17 as Nick Wilkinson’s men thrashed Fleetwood at Broadwater by 152 runs.

Chasing 196 for victory, the hosts were skittled for a paltry 43.

William Vause removed opener Charlie Clark for four, caught by Thomas Turner, but Millward quick too centre stage as the home batters had no answer to him. Earlier, the visitors had posted an imposing total of 195-4 after winning the toss and electing to bat.

Luke Platt top scored with 63 and there was an half-century for fellow opener Joshua Mullin (58). James Whitehead and Turner chipped in with 29 and 21 respectively. If that was the performance of the day, then Fulwood and Broughton’s demolition of Blackpool at Highfield was not far behind.

A magnificent 120 from Indian professional Abhay Negi helped the hosts post a huge 230-5. Jon Fenton hit 30.

In reply, the visitors were routed for 96 with Negi taking 5-28 while Ewen Mansford took 3-14.

It was not the best of starts to summer for Leyland as the 2019 champions lost out to the team that finished runners-up that year Garstang. After winning the toss, Leyland – shorn of their

South African professional Jean Du Plessis who is yet to arrive in the country – elected to have first use of the wicket after winning the toss.

Kurtis Watson built solid foundations, his fine 63 crucial to Leyland posting a competitive total of 173-7. Waris Khan took 3-30.

After losing early wickets, Garstang cruised to victory thanks to a marvellous partnership between McKiernan and Matthew Crowther.

The former smashed 13 fours and two sixes in a brilliant knock of 90 before he was caught by Ben Weaver off Watson.

Crowther finished unbeaten on 50 as the visitors cruised to victory with five wickets and more than eight overs to spare.

Morecambe got the better of St Annes, who had Preston-born former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff in their ranks, at Woodhill.

He was playing alongside son Corey, who took 1-19.

Flintoff senior scored just three runs, one more than his son as the visitors lost by four wickets.

Chorley agonisingly missed out on marking the opening day of the new season with a win over Kendal at Parkside Road.

Andrew Holdsworth’s men fell five runs short of their victory target on Saturday, thus having to settle for a losing draw. Chasing the home side’s total of 161 all out, Chorley eventually closed on 157-8 after a tight affair.

Darren Nightingale (46), Edward Price (36) and Saeed Bariwala (47) helped the hosts post 161 all out. James Lee took 4-28 and Will Moulton 4-27.

In reply, a knock of 54 from Indian professional Siddesh Lad, helped by Harry Barclay (37) and Moulton (26 not out) looked to be turning the tide in the visitors favour,

But Tom Aspinwall (5-15) and Lukman Vahaluwala (3-46) gave the home side the winning draw.

Elsewhere, Lancaster were beaten at home by Netherfield. The home side posted 179 all out, a total the visitors surpassed for the loss of six wickets.

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