RISHTON have conceded defeat in their battle to hang onto New Zealand professional James Franklin.

The Kiwi, who took five wickets against England in the triangular series earlier this week, has agreed to join Gloucestershire on a short-term contract once he's free of international commitments.

"It's left us in the lurch a bit but you can't stop a guy from furthering his career," said Rishton skipper Scott Greaves, who must now begin the search for a new professional.

Former Nelson paid-man Wade Wingfield steps in for tomorrow's game with Accrington but Rishton are also without Richard Rostron, Sam Hacking and Shaun Hutchinson.

ACCRINGTON make one change to their side for tomorrow's game, with Sajed Sadiq replacing Richard Burrows, who is on holiday.

BURNLEY all-rounder David Brown is another notable absentee this weekend after earning himself a trail with Hampshire.

Brown, whose brother Michael opens the batting for the county, will miss the home game with Rawtenstall as a result.

But Burnley captain Ben Law is hoping a switch in the batting order can at last get the Lancashire League's bottom side back to winning ways.

Law said: "We are treating every game like a cup final now."

RAWTENSTALL are taking nothing for granted as they go to Burnley looking to complete their first league 'double' of the season.

Chairman Brian Payne said: "When we met earlier in the season, Burnley didn't play like a team at the bottom of the table so we are taking nothing for granted."

Rawtenstall remain unchanged so Rizwan Shafiq keeps his place ahead of John Dawson.

Leaders BACUP have been boosted by the return of veteran batsman Peter Thompson for the home tie against Lowerhouse.

Thompson broke a finger in training 10 days ago, but after a medical, has been passed fit to play. Daniel Shaw continues his run in the side.

LOWERHOUSE will be looking for revenge at Lanehead.

The Worsley Cup finalists were beaten eight wickets by their opponents earlier this month, but a maximum point victory could move them to within four points of Bacup.

Manager Stan Heaton said: "We've still got a shot at the title. This is a massive game for us, and we are full of confidence after our cup win."

Ben Heap keeps his place in the team after a series of impressive displays.

RAMSBOTTOM captain Richard Hevingham is looking to keep his side's title push alive at Church tomorrow.

"It's a massive game for us," said Hevingham. "The 12 points last week has kept us in with a chance but we beat Church a few weeks ago and they will be looking for revenge."

Simon Read is still injured, and with John Harrison and Mark Dentith on holiday, Andy Holt and Mark Gowers come into the side. Sub pro Asif Mujtaba will replace Kartik Murali, who is training with the Indian squad.

CHURCH make just one change as the title contenders clash at Blackburn Road. Adam Greenwood returns in place of David Bury.

Sri Lankan Pasan Wanansinghe returns as the sub pro for HASLINGDEN, who also bring in Naeem Elahi to replace the unavailable Barry Knowles.

Cricket chairman Stuart Taylor is aware of the importance of preventing COLNE pro Andre Adams from getting too comfortable at the Bentgate crease.

He said: "Adams looks very dangerous to me and I think he's due a big score, so I hope it's not tomorrow!"

A lot will depend on the big-hitting Kiwi as the Horsfield side are without leading run-maker Matthew Wilson on holiday, as is bowler Matthew Constable. Teenagers Matthew Walker and Chris Platt will deputise.

EAST LANCS are hoping to have Mark Lomas back from a knee injury for the visit of Enfield and he's expected to return in place of David Pearson, who's unavailable tomorrow.

The defending champions have already conceded the title but they still hope to finish with a flourish.

"We just haven't had that bit of luck you need this season," said club chairman Larry Pearson. "I think the fact we didn't have our pro for the first seven games of the season also proved to be disruptive."

ENFIELD will be hoping to bounce back from the massive disappointment they suffered in the Worsley Cup semi-final.

The Dill Hall Lane side set Lowerhouse an imposing target after hitting 310 and captain Mas Ahmed was devastated when the home side proved up to the task.

"It was a bit of a disaster, especially after thinking we were through at the break," he said.

"I made one or two tactical errors - lads bowling from the wrong end. But it was a phenomenal effort from Lowerhouse.

"We've beaten East Lancs twice already this season but Keith Barker is footballing again now so we'll miss him."

Andrew Windle comes into the side to replace Blackburn Rovers Acadamy starlet Barker.

At Seedhill the head-to-head between professionals Cameron Cuffy and Gyandera Pandey could hold the key.

NELSON made ground on the league leaders last week as they notched an eight-wicket success over Enfield and they will want to keep up the pressure on their home track.

However, they face a young TODMORDEN side who are acquitting themselves well, with former Indian one-day international Pandey providing both runs and wickets.

Nelson pro and former West Indies Test pace bowler Cuffy currently leads the wicket taking charts among the professionals with 47 victims, but with just three scalps less spinner Pandey could be out to make a point - and make up ground in the rankings having snapped up 70 wickets last term.