RAMSBOTTOM extended their lead at the top of the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League after beating EAST LANCS and Lowerhouse slumping to defeat.

East Lancs' Dave Pearson made 69 in his side's 158-7. Ramsbottom's outgoing pro Murali Kartik took 3-87 and Simon Read 4-39. Kartik then steered his side to victory with 69 to leave his side 13 points clear at the top.

LOWERHOUSE slumped to defeat against NELSON thanks to a star turn by Nelson's paid man Nathan Hauritz.

Lowerhouse were cruising at 59-1 before Hauritz ripped through the line-up taking 6-59 and Khurram Nazir 3-24 as Lowerhouse were dismissed for just 112.

Hauritz then made a half-century to steer Nelson to their fourth consecutive win.

ENFIELD got their third win of the season as they saw off local rivals Church at West End.

The visitors could only make 145-6 from their 50 overs with pro Alviro Petersen top scoring with 61.

But an inspired spell of bowling from Dave Bracewell (5-65) and Neil Holmes (3-37) saw Church shot out for 125.

HASLINGDEN'S chances of retaining their title recieved a hammer blow as they were beaten by RISHTON.

Rishton batted first and made 244-7 thanks largely to a partnership of 110 between pro Kumar Dharmesena (53) and Peter Sleep (87).

ACCRINGTON set a new record but one they won't be proud of as their defeat at RAWTENSTALL equalled the league record as it was their 14th.

Despite cruising at 70-1, Accrinthon were rolled over for just 133. Opener Zahir Afzal made 51 and Afrus Afzal taking 5-44.

Rawtenstall's paid man ensured an easy win as he blasted a century, his first of the season.

TODMORDEN carried on their good from as the beat BACUP at Lane Head.

The home side made just 168-6 thanks to a good spell of bowling by Tod pro Gyan Pandey who took 4-39.

Tod openers Stuart Priestley and Simon Newbitt put on 70 for the first wicket and it was Newbitt's knock of 72 that laid the foundations for the win.

COLNE ensured they kept themselves in the title mix as they enjoyed a 45-run win over BURNLEY.

A good team effort saw Colne rattle up 242 thanks to knocks from pro Mahendra Nagamootoo (48), Jeff Ellis (32) and Paul Wilson (23).

And Nagamootoo followed up his excellent work with the bat to bowl Colne to the win as he took 7-73 despite Jonathan Harvey's 54 and Chris Burton's 46.