MIKE Dentith's first 50 in the league plus a half-century from skipper Mark Price kept Ramsbottom at the top of the Transco Lancashire League table as they collected maximum points against Accrington.

The pair put on 78 as the leaders reached 197-7 and Accrington were never in touch after a disastrous start. The visitors slumped to 25-6 and only an unbeaten 72 from number eight Sajid Sadiq lifted them to a total of 138.

Nelson were humbled at second placed East Lancs with home pro Claude Henderson again the dominant force.

Henderson picked up six cheap wickets in 20 overs as East Lancs dismissed last year's champions for just 63. Only Trevor Kegg reached double figures.

East Lancs knocked off the required runs inside 20 overs with skipper Paul Turner undefeated on 34.

Daivid Saker's one-man show was not enough to prevent Enfield losing to title challengers Bacup. Professional Saker smashed 10 fours in an outstanding 85 as Enfield struggled to 132 all out. Saker then chipped in with four wickets, but Bacup managed to ease home. Their victory charge was led by a 77 run stand for the third wicket between James Cunliffe (not out 56) and Matthew O'Connor (39). Once again Bacup pro Adam Dale was among the wickets, picking up six victims.

Todmorden's rising star Alexander Scholefield may have taken five wickets but he was outshone by Colne's Nick Moulding who took an impressive 6-23 in his side's comfortable 134 run win.

Colne pro Ben Johnson made 89 before becoming one of Scholefield's victims as the home side amassed 200. Todmorden fell apart under pressure from Moulding and Johnson, with the paid man ending on figures of 3-41. The Worsley Cup winners were skittled out for a disappointing 66.

Lowerhouse's win over Church belonged to Jes Hope who collected his 50th wicket this season and took his Lancashire League tally to 500. The bowler took 6-40 to dispose of Church for just 95 runs as they chased a reasonable target of 149. Jes's brother Matt took 4-37 to dampen the Blackburn Road side's title hopes.

A stunning spell from Rawtenstall skipper Keith Roscoe toppled Rishton at The Worswick Memorial ground. Chasing the home side's 158-7, of which pro Matthew Mott made 82, Rishton were on course at 88-1. But enter Roscoe who snapped up an incredible 8-25 in 12.3 overs, as the beleaguered visitors lost their last nine wickets for just 21 runs.

Burnley professional Geoff Foley chalked up the middle century of his three in a row to guide his side to a 17-run win over Haslingden. The Queenslander hit six sixes and nine fours in his 109 and as the home side reached 223-7. Haslingden got themselves in the hunt with skipper Mike Ingham and pro Paul Strang both posting half-centuries but the reply ran out of steam at 206-8.