STAND-IN professional Keith Semple and Mark Lomas shared a fourth wicket stand of 89 to set East Lancs well on their way to a home win over Colne.

Semple, currently the paid man at East Lancs' Northern Premier League neighbours Darwen, hit nine fours and one six in his total of 81, which came from 104 deliveries.

The Guyanan, whose half century took just 72 balls, was ably assisted by Lomas, who reached 38 before his dimissal with the score on 142.

But Semple virtually stayed the distance, being the ninth man out, to ensure that a competitive score was posted.

Colne's sub professional Masooq Raza was the destroyer in chief with his haul of 6-68.

But, not to be outdone, the East Lancs bowlers all shone in the Colne innings, with medium pacer Hugh Doyle taking a career best of 5-16 from just eight overs.

Raza was Doyle's first victim, smartly stumped by Matthew Egan before the next four wickets fell quickly.

The remaining bowlers were ably assisted by some quality fielding and catches.

At Thorneyholme Road, the loss of paid man Tama Canning for just five runs put paid to ACCRINGTON'S bid to maintain their unbeaten run and place at the top of the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League.

The New Zealander made a big impression in the HASLINGDEN innings, claiming five wickets for 54 runs, while Zahir Afzal weighed in with 3-40, helping to restrict the Bent Gate side to a reachable target of 166 after Steve Dearden (51) and Lewis MacIntosh (30) top scored for the visitors.

After Adam Wilson was run out for just one, hopes were pinned on the impressive Canning to get Accrington off to a flying start, but the wickets of the professional and Mohsin Ahmed (11) fell quickly.

Captain Matt Wilson, Stuart Crabree and Afzal sparked a mini revival lower down the order, but it was not enough.

Cameron Cuffy ripped BACUP apart with his figures of 5-35, easing NELSON to a 43-run win.

RISHTON suffered their first defeat of the season, squeezed out at TODMORDEN by just three runs chasing only 108.

Matt Hope (4-46) and Saeed Riaz (2-44) starred in the bowling department for LOWERHOUSE as they secured a five-wicket win at RAMSBOTTOM, despite professional Murali Kartik making his debut for the home side.

ENFIELD'S Adam Bracewell hit a career best of 71, an incredible knock from just 66 deliveries thanks to seven fours and three sixes but BURNLEY managed to secure a one-wicket win.

Ruvin Peiris inspired CHURCH to a four-wicket success at RAWTENSTALL thanks to his knock of 64.