JAMES Peterson hauled in a dazzling 7-49 return as Bacup claimed maximum points against struggling Church at Lanehead.

The Church batsman could not live with Peterson's lively pace bowling, with only three players reaching double figures as Church crumbled to 98-7 and then 119 all out.

Only Paul Gilraine (29) and Andy Aspin (28) offered any genuine resistance and Church's total was never going to be enough to trouble Bacup.

Church professional Brendan Creevey made an early breakthrough, landing the wickets of opener Mark Taylor and Peterson, but it wasn't enough to halt Bacup.

Creevey finished with five wickets under his belt, but the home side secured a comfortable win with four wickets to spare.

Lowerhouse's title charge was put on hold by the rain as their game at home to Enfield fell victim to the weather.

On a difficult track Lowerhouse made 126-7 as rain allowed them just 38 overs.

Enfield professional Shane Lee picked up 4-61, while Chris Bleazard top scored with 32.

During the tea interval a prolonged heavy shower meant their was no chance of a resumption.

Todmorden professional Frans Cronje took five wickets to limit Ramsbottom to 147-7 in reply to their 158-6 in a rain-interrupted game at Centre Vale.

At 67-1 after 15 overs, Ramsbottom looked like meeting the target but Brian Taylor and professional Chris Harris were eliminated in quick succession.

Then Nick Riley took a stranglehold on the game but Duncan Parker took a brilliant catch at deep mid-wicket to send him to the pavilion. At that point Ramsbottom needed 40 off the remaining eight overs but, after Riley's dismissal, were unable to maintain the run-rate. Heath Kennedy, who opened the Todmorden innings for the first time, made a superb half century to set the home side on their way.

Rain prevented a result at Blackburn Road after Colne's Ben Johnson made a tremendous 84 not out against Rishton.

His innings included 13 fours and two sixes but play was halted after 34.2 overs.

An excellent exhibition of seam bowling from South African Alan Dawson got rid of Rawtenstall for 72 and Nelson's 55-1 in reply was enough to win on the faster run-rate.

Dawson took seven wickets for a paltry 21 runs in a sizzling 13.5-over spell.

Five of his seven victims were clean bowled, including Rawtenstall professional Ian Hewett for 11.

After 14.2 overs of the Nelson innings play was abandoned but they claimed all five points nonetheless.

Heavy rain also destroyed any hope a finish at Thorneyholme Road with Accrington unable to begin their reply against Burnley after substitute professional Peter Sleep picked up 6-44 from a devastating 20-over spell.

Nasser Mehmood saved Burnley from an embarrassingly low score, rescuing Burnley from 40-5 to 138-8 with a big hitting 79.

Mehmood cracked his 50 off just 36 balls with his innings including two sixes and five fours.

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