CHAMPIONS Bacup made light work of the challenge from one-time leaders Enfield as they cruised to a 10-wicket victory.
Once again the men from Lanehead were indebted to the deadliest double act in the Transco Lancashire League Shaun Young and David Ormerod.
The pair took over 170 wickets between them when they led Bacup's title charge last summer and, as the Rossendale club look to make it three in a row, the duo had too much for Enfield.
Young took 4-35 and Ormerod returned an impressive haul of 6-48 as Enfield were bowled out for just 86.
Their professional Martin Van Jaarsveld (35) provided the main resistance until he was became one of four Enfield batsmen to be clean bowled by Ormerod.
In reply Bacup raced to their victory target in just 23 overs, with openers Peter Thompson (48 not out) and Dominic Ayres (34 not out) making the points safe by 5.20pm.
Only the weather seems capable of stopping Ramsbottom professional Michael Clarke right now. The Aussie scored his fourth century of the summer as his side won in a canter at Accrington.
Clarke hit 126, with 10 fours and three sixes, as Ramsbottom posted 262-8 at Thorneyholme Road.
Nick Riley (34) and Lee Daggett (32) provided solid support for the man who has shot past the 500-run barrier in the league.
Accrington were never really in the hunt. The only bright spot came when Paul Clifford hit an unbeaten 53 (eight fours, two sixes) but, in a rain interrupted reply, Accrington finished well short of the asking target on 153-9.
Another man in the runs was Church's professional Mark Higgs who blasted an unbeaten 77 in their seven wicket victory at Lowerhouse.
Chris Bleazard had struck 47 as Lowerhouse set 135-8 but Church were comfortable in making their target.
Opener Charlie Lord was the hero for Haslingden as they got the better of Burnley in a low-scoring affair at Bentgate.
Lord who had only mustered 18 runs in total all season before this match kept his nerve and held the Haslingden reply with an unbeaten half century that effectively won the game.
Having lost the toss and been put into bat Burnley were bowled out for just 103. Haslingden professional Ian Austin bowled 23 overs straight for his 4-35, while Michael Blomley collected 4-18 as the visitors found batting difficult.
It looked much the same when Haslingden started their reply. At 69-5 victory looked a long way away and the pressure was on Lord to stay there.
But he remained calm and finished unbeaten on 54 as Haslingden completed a four-wicket win.
Todmorden made light work of what appeared to be a demanding run chase at Centre Vale, after Colne had posted 252-7 in their 50 overs.
A second wicket stand of 107 between Gary Hunt (46) and stand-in professional Tushar Arothe laid the foundations for Colne's total.
Arothe, in for the injured Charle Langeveldt, notched up an impressive 117 before becoming one of five victims for Mark Clayton.
In reply, Todmorden's own substitute professional, Lancashire's Chris Schofield was also in the runs. He hit 77, while opener Richard Baigent made 51 and Stuart Priestley was on 40 when a hamstring strain forced him to retire hurt. Despite his loss Todmorden eased to a six-wicket victory with overs to spare.
Quickie makes an instant impact
LANCASHIRE county quick bowler Mike Smethurst certainly made an impact as he joined Nelson as their substitute professional.
Replacing Joe Scuderi, out due to a dislocated finger, Smethurst made an impression with the first ball of the game when he gained the wicket of East Lancs skipper Andy Clague.
For Clague and his team-mates the trip to Nelson was to be a frustrating one as they set 158 in their 50 overs but then a delay for rain saw Nelson's target reduced to 135 off 40 overs and they scraped home on the penultimate ball of their innings.
And they ended up sick of the sight of Smethurst as he ended up with figures of six wickets for 39, completing his haul with a hat-trick that brought the East Lancs innings to an end.
The visitors had been well served by their South African professional Con De Lange, who notched 50, but he and his fellow bowlers struggled to break up the Nelson innings.
While the most outstanding display with the bat went to Danny Kegg, who struck 34, the Seedhill side's success was built more on the majority of their batsmen making a contribution.
However, Nelson's opponents next Sunday, Haslingden, may not have to face Smethurst as it is expected that Scuderi will be fit by the end of the week.
Another contest decided on run rate was Rishton's victory over Rawtenstall.
The visitors set 143 for nine at Blackburn Road with Damian Hanson top scoring with 29.
Rishton's South African professional Paul Adams spin proved a useful weapon as he claimed 5-61, the second successive week he has gained five victims, and he was well supported by Peter Sleep who took 4-41.
With a target of 130 set for Rishton's reply Sleep starred with the bat as well ending unbeaten on 46.
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