RAWTENSTALL professional Brett Pelser celebrated his new deal with another high class display – but for once the South African’s thunder was stolen by one of his team-mates.

Pelster met Rawtenstall chiefs and agreed to return to the Worswick Memorial Ground in 2014 and showed just why he is so highly regarded with a fine innings to beat Colne.

But as good as Pelser’s knock was, Rawtenstall team-mate Peter Wrathmell became the headline act as he joined his pro at the crease and dug them out of a spot of bother against Colne.

Chasing Colne’s 191 Rawtenstall were rocking on 53-4 when the duo came together – and they batted supremely to take their side over the line with a classy unbroken stand of 141.

Pelser made 57 not out, while Wrathmell hit his career best score of 69 not out, although he had an almighty escape when on 49.

He appeared to nick Daneyel Qasim through to Kenton Rhodes only for the finger to stay down, much to Colne’s disbelief.

After a period of heated discussions with the umpire, which finished with Khurram Nazir taking an on-field ticking off, Wrathmell then blasted another 20 runs to take Rocky over the line.

Earlier Gary Hunt made 25 before sacrificing himself run out to save Shadley van Schalkwyk, who top scored with 69, and Tayyib Jamil also made 37.

Ramsbottom proved there is still mileage in their title race as they thumped East Lancashire at Acre Bottom.

Wary of the weather forecast suggesting showers, Jonathan Fielding won the toss and put the Blackburn outfit in to bat on what was a cracking track.

Dan Lord got the visitors off to a flyer with a scintillating 42 and while Michael Timmis was very much restrained in making seven, the pair gave East Lancs a solid foundation.

And when they moved into three figures with three wickets down and 16 overs left a big score appeared on the cards.

But despite 50 from Ockert Erasmus, they folded to 160 all out in the final over with Fielding picking up five wickets.

Tom Parton hit 61 in the Ramsbottom reply and professional Pieter Malan was 86 not out as they coasted to victory.

Joey Hawke’s brilliant bowling display gave Lowerhouse the edge in a thriller at Haslingden.

Hawke claimed 7-43 as Haslingden were bowled out for 144 with Graham Knowles top scoring with 42.

Ben Heap made 52 in reply for Lowerhouse despite suffering a nasty blow to the head in a collision with Paddy Martin.

Heap went to hospital later in the evening to get his blow checked out but his mood was lightened when his team-mates recovered from 110-6 to edge over the line in a two-wicket win.

Accrington proved they are still the team to beat as the runaway leaders crushed Bacup at Thorneyholme Road.

Ashar Zaidi top scored with 42 and Graeme Sneddon 41 as Accrington posted 199-8 from their 50 overs and that was too many for Bacup, who were 106 all out despite 47 from Joe McCluskie.

Jimmy Hayhurst was the bowling star with a return of 5-24. Church made it eight wins on the spin as they beat Nelson, who were in with a shout after Ryan Canning’s 61 helped them up to a challenging 232-7 from their 50 overs at West End.

But Lloyd Aspin made a magnificent 82 and his brother Harvey an unbeaten 59 as Church cantered to a seven wicket win with more than 13 overs to spare.

David Brown and Adnan Rasool both made 48 as Burnley gained revenge on Enfield.

The pair helped Burnley to 183 all out before Cole Hayman’s express spell yielded a return of 3-15 from seven overs as Enfield were 136 all out.

Ben Sutcliffe’s brilliant 92 not out led Todmorden to an impressive win over Rishton at Centre Vale.

After Geeth Alwis claimed five wickets to help bowl Rishton out for 165, Sutcliffe led from the front and hit 14 fours as his men cantered to victory.