RAMSBOTTOM stepped up their Transco Lancashire League title challenge thanks to a stunning century from professional Brad Hodge.

The Victorian ended a recent lean spell with an unbeaten 122 asAccrington's total of 183-7 was overhauled for the loss of just one wicket.

Hodge's 100 came up in just 110 balls as he attacked from the off. In all he faced 125 balls and hit 17 fours and two sixes, sharing in an opening stand of 98 with Tom Read and then an unbroken second-wicket partnership of 88 with Julian Marcroft, who finished unbeaten on 26.

Earlier, Accrington professional Nathan Astle looked similarly well set as he moved to 49 from 61 balls with seven boundaries. However he then lifted a delivery from Simon Read to mid-off where Mike Haslam took the chance.

Astle and Tariq Hussain had put on 65, and the home side looked to have posted a testing score until Hodge got to work.

The only down note for Ramsbottom was the deduction of one point for a slow over-rate after they had bowled 13 wides and three no-balls.

Church slipped to their second successive league defeat -- but just held on to top spot. Lowerhouse's innings was dominated by an unbeaten century from professional Martin Van Jaarsveld. The South African enjoyed nine fours and one six and was well-supported by number four Chris Bleazard who had seven fours in his 46.

Skipper Mark Aspin helped to polish off the lower order, taking 4-54 as Lowerhouse made 177.

Church started steadily through Alec Holt (13) and Craig Fergusson (22) and Mark Aspin's 44 seemed to set them up.

But brother Andy was the only one to make an impression lower down the ranks with an unbeaten 39 as professional Mike Watkinson was out for a duck. Church's overs ran out on 162, the four points leaving them just clinging on to their lead.

Todmorden had paid-man Dan Marsh to thank for steadying their innings after slumping to 21-4 againstColne.

On a hard wicket, Todmorden's openers found it difficult to cope with the bounce of the ball but Marsh came in to make a crucial 45. He struck up a 72-run fifth wicket partnership with Duncan Parker (41) before Marsh was out to a dubious lbw decision.

At 93-5 it looked bleak but David Whitehead (33) managed to boost their score to 150 as the last man fell. Alex Scholefield took the prized scalp of pro Ben Johnson for a duck as Colne started their innings badly and he and Marsh then combined to see off the rest. Scholefield ended on 30-4 and Marsh 32-5 as Colne stumbled from 19-5 to 34-7 before an eighth wicket stand between Amair Khan (22) and Nigel Rimmer (13) gave Colne some respectability, finishing on 78 all out.

Nelson crumbled to one of the most severe collapses in recent years asEast Lancs pushed themselves back into title contention.

Nelson lost their last eight wickets for just 22 runs as visiting pro Claude Henderson bowled 20 overs and conceded just 30 runs in picking up four wickets to lead the visitors' victory charge. East Lancs knocked off the required runs using only 22 overs and losing just the one wicket.

Mark Griffin carried his bat to make an undefeated 105 asHaslingden picked up 12 points in seeing offBurnley -- but he was helped by stand-in pro Joe Scuderi.

After setting Burnley a victory target of 220, Haslingden were inspired by Scuderi's bowling skills -- the professional taking 6-30. Burnley's middle order put up a brave fight but they were bowled out 18 runs short.

Rishton's substitute professional Clinton Perrin turned in a match-winning performance to leaveRawtenstall marooned at the foot of the table.

The Queenslander, standing in for the injured Jason Gillespie, scored a half-century as Rishton reached 161 before being bowled out in the last over as Keith Roscoe completed a five-wicket haul.

And Perrin, paid man at Central Lancashire League club Littleborough this summer, then claimed 6-45, including the vital wicket of Matthew Mott, as Rawtenstall fell 29 runs short.

Enfield continued their recent improvement as they romped to a nine-wicket win atBacup.

After moving to 35-2, Bacup collapsed following the run-out of professional Adam Dale. The home side slumped to 42-7 and only 18 from John Chapman lifted them to a total of 81 as Mark Greenhalgh (4-28) and professional Dave Saker (3-41) shared seven wickets.

Enfield eased home inside 29 overs, opener Liam Jackson was unbeaten on 38 while Saker hit 34.

Accrington and Church will meet in the final of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph Second Team Cup. Church beat Todmorden, while Accrington handed Haslingden their first defeat of the season.