WHEN Brad Hodge announced he was going to play at Ramsbottom to his fellow Australians at the start of the season, the reaction was that he "wasn't going to a very good side."

But the Victoria player decided he was going to try and do something about that -- and with three games remaining Ramsbottom are within touching distance of their first Transco Lancashire League title since 1992.

"When I said to a couple of my Australian friends that I was coming to Ramsbottom they told me I wasn't coming to a good side.

"I didn't really know that much about Ramsbottom but I thought I could do something about it. I am a batsman and I've been trying to teach the amateurs the art of batting. I hope it's paid off."

It has, with Ramsbottom six points clear of rivals nearest rivals Bacup at the top of the table after a 35-run victory over them on Sunday -- a brilliant season compared to fourth from bottom last time out.

But batting-wise this weekend has been a disappointment for 25-year-old Hodge, especially as Saturday's game at Todmorden was rained off. Bacup had moved to the top of the league after their victory over Church, setting up a crucial first versus second clash at Acre Bottom.

Hodge, though, was run out for 14, leaving his Victoria team-mate Matthew Mott at Rawtenstall to be the first batsman to hit the 1000-run mark, with Hodge not far behind.

There was also another milestone as Bacup pro Adam Dale took his 100th wicket of the season with 3-46 as Ramsbottom struggled to 109 all out. The pace was so slow that Dale took seven maidens in his opening seven overs and he was ably assisted by David Ormerod, who finished with figures of 6-55. Tommy Read top scored with 39 and this turned out to be vital.

Lee Daggett, 17, capped a week where he played for Lancashire seconds with 6-20 and he and Read combined to take four wickets in the lower order as Bacup slipped from 63-5 to 63-9 before they were bowled out as Ramsbottom celebrated regaining the top spot.

East Lancs kept the pressure on the leaders thanks to another tremendous display by evergreen veteran Ian Haworth.

He took an amazing four wickets in five balls including a hat-trick and an amazing return catch as Todmorden were restricted to 84-9.

Tight bowling from professional Dan Marsh had East Lancs floundering at 30-4.

And they could have been in even further trouble had skipper Phil Mercer been caught at deep square leg by John Barker off a top-edged sweep.

But, after Mercer had again been dropped off a mis-timed skied drive, he and Chris Riley steered their side home with overs to spare.

Substitute professional David Callaghan top-scored with 48 and claimed three wickets as Church beat struggling Rishton by eight runs in a rain-affected game.

The St Anne's player made his runs in a 32-over total of 121-5, in which Phil Sykes was also unbeaten on 41.

Rishton then had one over fewer and despite giving themselves a real chance at 99-4 fell short on the back of five run-outs. John Dobson (36) and Craig Smith (35) were two of those victims after stand-in pro Chris Schofield had fallen to Callaghan without scoring.

Lowerhouse romped to an eight-wicket win in the derby clash at Burnley.

Matt Hope took four wickets as the home side were restricted to 105-9 from 44 overs as professional Geoff Foley failed to score for the second day in a row.

Ben Law top-scored with 33 but it was never enough as Lowerhouse reached their reduced target of 100 in 41 overs with 12 overs to spare.

Professional Martin Van Jaarsveld hit an unbeaten 36 and shared an unbroken third-wicket stand of 50 with Chris Bleazard as Lowerhouse completed the double for the season and banked 10 points.

A stunning half century from opener Craig Walton ensured Nelson completed an excellent weekend with a crushing eight wicket victory over arch-rivals Colne.

Walton was in imperious form with the bat, stroking nine fours and four sixes in a brilliant unbeaten 73.

His opening partnership of 99 with professional Keith Arthurton provided the backbone to the Nelson reply as they cruised past Colne's total of 137-8 inside 26 overs.

Earlier in the day, Trevor Kegg had been the Nelson hero with 4-75.

And he could have had even more success after bowling Gary Laycock off a no ball and seeing three catches dropped. Accrington also completed their second successive victory thanks to another outstanding display from deputy professional Tama Canning.

After collecting 8-46 and smashing 46 against Burnley the previous day, Canning was in the runs again, this time stroking his way to 98 against Enfield in his side's total of 175-9.

Then he did the damage with the ball, bagging 4-58 in a scintillating spell, as Enfield finished on 123-9 -- well short of their reduced total of 173 from 39 overs.

Rawtenstall climbed off the bottom with a win over Haslingden when they made 200-5 in 40 overs with Richard Wood scoring an impressive 51 not out. They then restricted Haslingden to 175-9 thanks to Keith Roscoe's 5-49.