HASLINGDEN'S second batting blitz of the weekend kept them on the heels of the EW Cartons Lancashire League top two, East Lancs and Nelson, yesterday.

Run rates soared with the temperatures but Haslingden kept their cool to clinch a 10-point win over an Accrington side inspired by professional Mark Bailey's unbeaten 141 - his first century in the league.

And it was their own professional Brad McNamara who steered the Bentgate side to victory with a superb unbeaten 99.

Accrington surprised the title chasers on an excellent batting wicket as Bailey carried his bat, facing 153 deliveries in all and hitting 13 boundaries.

The New Zealander totally dominated the innings as Accrington reached 219-6 to set Haslingden a real test. But they were up to it.

Patrick Lord (45) gave them a good start and McNamara and Mark Griffin (51 not out) shared an unbroken stand of 119 for the fourth wicket to clinch victory at 223-3 with a couple of overs to spare.

With the scores level and needing a six for his century, McNamara went for it but could only manage four. Griffin's 51 came from only 53 balls and included four fours and a six.

Leaders East Lancs picked up another 10 points at Colne, despite more runs for home professional Joe Scuderi (70).

Batting first, Andy Clague - hero of the previous day's win - again revelled in the anchor role with his 77 including eight fours and a six. At 153-2, with skipper Phil Mercer (42) firing on all cylinders, East Lancs looked set to put up a massive score on a good track with a quick outfield.

But when he went, the innings petered out, even though they achieved a very respectable 195-7.

It looked attainable for Colne at 74-1 but Scuderi lacked support from most of his team-mates, the notable exception being Andy Leah (38).

'Scud' took 88 balls over his innings, hitting six fours and a six against some good bowling and fielding but with him went Colne's realistic hopes of winning.

At 130-9, Ian Haworth having taken five wickets all clean bowled, East Lancs looked poised for a maximum. But a determined last-wicket stand between Nick Moulding and Kevin Cullen denied them the bowling points and managed to help Colne to a couple of bonus points themselves from a fine game.

Nelson won again, this time at Bacup, but it was in the balance at one stage.

Professional Brad White (91) rescued Bacup from a perilous 17-3 and shared a partnership of 165 with the in-form Peter Killelea (58). White hit eight fours and two sixes in helping Bacup to a defendable 184-4.

Killelea escaped twice early in his innings and made Nelson pay, with three fours and a six.

The top of the order gave Nelson a good grounding for their reply but they still needed 17 from the last three overs.

Enter Roger Harper (55 not out) who immediately struck three quick boundaries to give them the edge and he was still there when they won with seven balls remaining. Professional Martin Van Jaarsveld found himself among the runs and the wickets as his superb individual display inspired Lowerhouse to a 19-run victory over Ramsbottom at Liverpool Road.

The South African hit eight fours and a six in a magnificent run-a-ball 115 as Lowerhouse rattled up 203 all out.

And the 24-year-old then picked up 5-48 with his right-arm off-spin as Rammy were reduced to 184-9 in reply.

Paul Wiseman has started to run into a decent vein of form for Rishton and he had both runs and wickets as they pulled off a good victory over Todmorden at Blackburn Road.

The New Zealander hit four fours and a six in his 47 as he dug his side out of early trouble and there were excellent contributions from skipper John Seedle (36) and Neil Wells, unluckily run out for a spirited 31. Stuart Parker (4-29) and Alex Scholefield (3-59) bowled impressively for Todmorden.

Rishton's 173-9 did not prove as easy a target as had been predicted during the tea interval and, with Frank Barden picking up the crucial wicket of professional Brendan Nash, Rishton battled to give themselves every chance.

Tod skipper Richard Baigent damaged a hand while fielding, retired hurt batting but returned to try to give his side some impetus.

But wickets fell steadily as the run rate slackened and, even though Mark Clayton scored a well-deserved half century, they got too far behind. Wiseman then added victims to a very economical bowling spell, Clayton (53) being the last man to fall on 144 as the pro finished with 5-35.

An injury to Andrew McLeod could well have been the turning point in Burnley's defeat at Enfield.

McLeod scored a splendid 66, including 11 boundaries, when he was hit on the knee by a throw. He was out soon afterwards and Burnley's fortunes changed as they went from 111-3 to 161 all out.

Enfield professional Dake Saker picked up 5-50 and Sam Reidy 3-13 before both men then got among the runs.

They shared a second-wicket stand of 120 with Reidy 38 and Saker hitting 11 fours and a six in his impressive 73.

That set up Enfield for victory and they got home with four wickets to spare, despite Burnley pro Anthony Botha adding 4-51 to his 38 runs.

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