ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTEEN years after Nelson won it for the first time, the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League finally has a full compliment of champions as Lowerhouse chalked their name on the honours board yesterday.

Twelve months on from ending their trophy drought by lifting the Worlsey Cup, Lowerhouse extended the winning habit to the league title by making the most of Ramsbottom's defeat by Nelson to secure the crown with a 53-run success at Rawtenstall.

"It's a marvellous feeling and a very proud day," said club chairman David Wren.

"We have worked so hard for what seems like an eternity. We have missed out in the past but kept on improving and in the end it has worked out."

Lowerhouse were runners-up in 1910 and again in 1982 but would not be denied this time after an outstanding summer which has seen them lose just four times with two games to go next weekend.

"We have been the best team in the league and I don't think anyone could begrudge us this," said victorious captain Joe Beneduce, who will get his hands on the silverware when the championship trophy is presented at Liverpool Road next Sunday.

"We have had some bad luck at times with the weather when we have had results taken away from us and I think we have deserved it.

"It's a sign of the direction the club is going in and with a young side I see no reason why we can't win another couple of trophies in the next few years.

"When we go onto the field we do really feel as though we can beat anyone and hopefully that will continue next year.

"We have got quality players and with this team it would have been criminal not to have won something."

Lowerhouse's winning formula has been built around a burgeoning youth system instigated by Stan Heaton, a core of experienced first-team performers and a top quality professional in Australian all-rounder Andrew McDonald.

Jonathan Finch capped a fine season with a crucial half-century at the top of the order and with plenty of others chipping in Lowerhouse posted a total of 209.

Finch survived a dropped chance early on but went to his 50 in 55 balls with seven fours and three sixes before falling to Andrew Cormack.

Chris Bleazard also departed with the total on 92 but substitute professional Kenroy Williams and Charlie Cottam steadied the ship before Williams fell, attempting to give the charge to Roscoe.

The veteran left-armer recovered from some early punishment to hit back with another five-wicket haul to take his tally for another prolific season to 78.

One of those victims was Cottam but his patient 30 made from 54 balls with five fours helped the visitors reach 166 before he was seventh man out.

A useful 42-run stand between Beneduce and Jack McGregor then lifted the toal beyond 200 with Beneduce finishing unbeaten on 30 off just 28 deliveries with a six and three fours before running out of partners.

Barbadian Williams struck an early blow in removing professional Andrew Payne and with Rawtenstall struggling at 77-4 and news filtering through of Ramsbottom's struggle at Nelson, Lowerhouse had one hand on the Champagne.

Damian Hanson and Will Cook-Martin briefly silenced Lowerhouse's vociferous support with an impressive 53-run partnership. But the introduction of Finch scuppered the home side's hopes when he had Hanson caught at mid-wicket for 34, including six fours.

Cook-Martin was the next to go and Rawtenstall's final five wickets then fell for just eight runs as Lowerhouse's long wait ultimately came to a swift conclusion.

And fittingly it was club stalwart Matt Hope, who handed over the captaincy at the end of last season, who proved the match-winner with figures of 5-40, helped by some impressive out-fielding and one superb stumping from hot prospect McGregor - typifying the ruthless streak Lowerhouse have acquired to make themselves champions.

Ramsbottom on the other hand were well beaten by Nelson. Joe Scuderi and sub-pro Blake Snijman both hit half centuries as Nelson won by five wickets.