THE Transco Lancashire League is without a representative in the last four of the inter-league challenge trophy after the last remaining three sides bowed out yesterday.
However, it was a close call for both Burnley and Rishton as they lost out in exciting finishes.
Professional Geoff Foley hit 54 as Burnley reached 192-8 against Norden at Turf Moor but it wasn't quite enough as the Central Lancashire League side won by three wickets off the last ball.
Rishton posted 203-5 with John Seedle making an unbeaten 50 but for the second day in a row they lost out in the last over as Royton won by four wickets.
Crucially, professional Jason Gillespie was unable to bowl his last over after injuring a hamstring.
And Church made it a hat-trick of defeats despite setting a target of 205-6, in which Alec Holt hit a half-century and Mike Watkinson got into the forties.
Middleton won by three wickets to join Rochdale, winners over Littleborough, in the last four.
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