JOE Scuderi enjoyed his first clash with his old Nelson team-mates as his new club Colne defied the best efforts of Roger Harper to progress to the semi-finals of the Jennings Worsley Cup.

The Australian's 39, his team's top score, was an integral part of Colne's 165 as they battled against some accurate bowling.

With Harper in superb form with the bat, Nelson felt they had a chance but couldn't find anyone to stay with him.

The West Indies star was finally last man out for a remarkable 86 of Nelson's total of 130. His innings included five sixes and he was caught going for another big hit trying to rescue a lost cause.

Wickets were shared by the Colne bowlers and Nick Moulding - 2-11 from his 10 overs - turned in a superb spell.

Ramsbottom's reward for their four wicket win at Todmorden is a tough trip to East Lancashire in the semi-finals.

However, they will be confident if professional Ian Harvey can occupy the crease for any length of time as another quick-fire knock did much to overcome Todmorden's total of 143-9.

On a firm but green pitch, Todmorden professional Vasbert Drakes was a real handful with a hostile spell which brought him 3-29. He removed Harvey who miscued a pull to mid-on for 38 from 32 balls but by then Ramsbottom had reached 88. And despite losing three more wickets and playing and missing frequently they eased home with crucial runs from Mike Dentith and skipper Ian Bell.

The Ramsbottom attack shared the wickets around as Drakes and Stewart Priestley top scored for the hosts with 31.

East Lancs booked their place after a superb team effort in the field restricted Bacup to 109 at Alexandra Meadows. Professional Brad Young opened up with six successive maidens as the Blackburn side turned the screw from the off and he eventually conceded just six runs from his 10 overs.

That allowed Nasir Iqbal (2-9) and Phil Mooney (4-14) to capitalise from his pressure as the visitors were eventually dismissed in the final over setting 110 for victory.

John Chapman top scored with 25.

In reply, East Lancs slipped to 56-3 before skipper Mark Lomas was joined at the wicket by Phil Mercer.

They steered their side home with 17 overs to spare, putting on 57 for the fourth wicket, as Lomas lead the way with a fine unbeaten 71 off just 81 balls.

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