Page "Lancashire League (cricket)" Paragraph 9

Every club in the league plus Edenfield play in this tournament.

There are 3 geographical groups of 5 and the top club from each group plus the best runner-up ( decided by points then net run rate ) go through to the semi-final.

In the group stage each team plays each other team once making for 4 matches.

3 points are awarded for a win.

There are no tied games.

If a game is tied the team losing the least wickets win.

If both teams lose the same amount of wickets the team with the best runs per wicket rate after 10 overs win.

If this is equal then after 5 overs.

All games have to be a minimum of 10 overs and any game that cannot be completed goes to a bowl out.

If the wicket is not suitable for a bowl out the game is decided by the toss of a coin.

The method for working out reduced targets is to subtract the full run rate for every over lost in the second innings.

Games are played mainly on a Friday night but are occasionally played on a Thursday night.

Teams can play in colours if they wish.

In Group A ( the Blackburn area group ) are Accrington, Church, East Lancs, Enfield and Rishton.

In Group B ( the Rossendale Valley group ) are Bacup, Edenfield, Haslingden, Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall.

In Group C ( the Burnley and Yorkshire area group ) are Burnley, Colne, Lowerhouse, Nelson and Todmorden.

In the Cup's inaugural year it was a knockout tournament involving 12 clubs as Enfield and Todmorden did not compete.

In 2006 it was a 14 club tournament with the same format as today except the Rossendale Valley group only had 4 clubs in it.

Edenfield joined the Cup in 2007 to give the Rossendale Valley group 5 clubs.

Bowlers can bowl no more than 4 overs.

1 point is deducted for slow over rate.

One over is expected to be bowled in 3¾ minutes