LOWERHOUSE threw away the chance of forcing a championship title play-off with Haslingden.

And it was their batting, a problem throughout the season, which handed East Lancs the points and Mark Lomas's men their second successive Holland Cup.

Phil Mercer did the damage with the ball, taking 5-23 in just nine overs.

Only Nick Hope made any impression with the bat for the visitors as they were skittled for 104.

Paul Kelly also bowled a tight spell with 2-24 from 14.

Phil Bolton and pro Billy Stelling knocked off the runs with ease as Corrie Jordaan picked up his 100th wicket of the season as consolation.

Nelson clung on to a final-day victory at Blackburn Road thanks to Monir Khan's bowling and a couple of suicide run-outs from Church, who were all out for 188.

Nelson had made 194-7, largely due to Duncan Spencer's tremendous effort of 104 which included 10 fours and a six.

Paul Garaghty offered solid support, striding to 60 with the help of five fours. Their partnership came to 159.

Mark Aspin, after changing ends, became Accrington's most productive bowler, taking 5-53.

It was good but Monir's 4-48 was decisive as he eliminated the tail end with minimum fuss.

Seamer Kevin Cullen claimed a magnificent 7-49 return as Colne signed off a successful campaign with a comfortable 19-run win over Accrington at the Horsfield. Colne's top scorer was Andy Clark with a punchy 55, including nine fours and one six, while Gary Laycock chipped in with a solid 37. Scott Greaves claimed four Colne wickets.

Peter Sleep's 78, five fours and three sixes, provided the foundation for Accrington's reply, but only three other batsmen reached double figures as Cullen ripped the heart out of the Accrington reply.

Clever reading of the weather forecast and excellent tight bowling gave Rawtenstall an unlikely and dramatic end-of-season victory over Todmorden at Bacup Road.

They were 104 all out after collapsing from 97-3. Opening batsman Jonathan Hall made a solid 48 before being run out.

Todmorden reached 30 before losing a wicket but progress was slow.

They must still have fancied their chances when they entered the final 10 overs needing only 24. But Keith Arthurton, who took 5-31, and Roscoe were getting vicious spin, bounce and lift off a wicket that was drying out fast.

Todmorden still needed eight off the last over and fell five runs short at 99-9. Hall had to be rushed to hospital after dislocating a shoulder in the field. He is now stable.

Half centuries from captain Peter Thompson and professional James Peterson eased Bacup to victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

Burnley were contained to 149-5 largely due to David Ormerod's excellent medium pace bowling.

But Michael Brown reached the milestone of 500 runs in the season with his 49 and substitute professional Pete Botha made 75, recording eight fours and a six.

But Bacup paced themselves well in reply, making 150-2 off 42.

Thompson had three fours, Peterson six and two sixes.

Chris Hall's 6-38 helped reduce Rishton to 111 all out at Acre Bottom in reply to Ramsbottom's 167-3.

Nick Riley also weighed in with three wickets as the Rishton middle order and tail end collapsed completely.

Earlier Brian Taylor made 58 not out for the home side. He was aided by Riley who also made his half century.

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