IT'S still four weeks away but East Lancashire are on course for a championship showdown with title holders Rishton.

After winning six of their last seven games while Rishton have suffered a case of the jitters, the Alexandra Meadows side are eagerly awaiting the September 1 clash.

But skipper Mark Lomas admits that Rishton - whose lead has been cut to five points - are still in the driving seat and it is up to them to throw it away.

While Lomas will be hoping for miracles at bottom-placed Accrington who entertain Rishton, his high-flyers look to complete the double over Enfield.

He said: "If we are still five points behind by the time we meet Rishton then anything can happen. But for the time being we've got to continue our winning streak and hope Rishton slip up."

Right-handed batsman Lomas, 26, who is currently enjoying his second season as skipper, praised his amateur bowling line-up for the support they have given professional Billy Stelling.

"We have the strongest amateur bowling attack in the league and that is one of the main reasons we are in second place. Billy has been magnificent but so have our amateur bowlers." Fixtures, Saturday: Accrington v Rishton, Bacup v Lowerhouse, Burnley v Rawtenstall, Church v Ramsbottom, East Lancs v Enfield, Haslingden v Colne, Nelson v Todmorden.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.