LANCASHIRE Cricket Board chiefs have decided to extend the dates for the flasghip Lancashire Cup – but that is unlikely to be of any use to Foster’s Lancashire League champions Lowerhouse, who look certain to scratch from the tournament ahead of their game with Bootle.

The weather has wreaked havoc with the schedule and now Old Trafford bosses have granted extensions to the third round dates – and moved other rounds back.

But Lowerhouse still seem likely to be forced to concede their showpiece third round tie with Liverpool Competition big hitters Bootle.

Games have to be played by Sunday, July 8, but the House are in league action on Saturday and play their Worsley Cup quarter-final with Bacup on Sunday and the following weekend sees the Worsley Cup semi-finals and league matches, while the weekend of July 7 and 8 is a double header.

Todmorden’s are the only other surviving Lancashire League side and they hope to be able to organise their trip to Saddlesworth League side Bamford Fieldhouse.

The locals have contacted the Lancashire Cricket Board as they bid to try and arrange the third round tie.