Andrew Payne’s return to the cricket field failed to inspire Rawtenstall as Burnley stayed in the hunt for the Holland Cup with a comprehensive win at Turf Moor as the temperatures plummeted to give a November feel to the penultimate weekend of the Foster‘s Lancashire League season.

The all-rounder, who turns 40 next month and has been retired for a year through a succession of injuries, pulled his whites back on to act as his home club’s substitute professional after Brett Pelser was recalled by the Highveld Lions ahead of the South African season.

But Payne and Rawtenstall’s hopes up upsetting the Worsley Cup winners were undone by a sloppy fielding display as Burnley piled up 221-9.

Chris Burton led the way for Burnley with an accomplished 60 and that target was too much for Rawtenstall and they never really recovered from slipping to 6-2.

Adnan Rasool claimed another five-wicket haul as Rocky were 80 all out on a freezing afternoon.

While that win keeps Burnley in the hunt for second, cross-town rivals Lowerhouse are the favourites for the Holland Cup after they ended Church’s remarkable 16-match unbeaten run at West End.

Francois Haasbroke top scored as Lowerhouse were 194 all out with Church wicketkeeper Sam Tucker having a memorable day behind the stumps as he claimed six victims.

Levi Wolfenden made 39 as Church replied and they needed 96 from the last 25 overs with six wickets left when skipper Craig Fergusson was last man out they had slipped to 151 all out.

Champions Accrington flexed their muscles once again and were too good for Ramsbottom, who went into the clash at Thorneyholme Road in second spot.

Accrington’s 228-8 was always a big ask and Ramsbottom didn’t have the answers as they were 165 all out.

East Lancashire had a good penultimate day as they beat Enfield at Dill Hall Lane.

Professional Ockert Erasmus, who will be playing his cricket half a mile away at Accrington next season, led the way as his side posted 241-6.

Erasmus made a half-century, while Mo Bhada made 41 and Alex Redhead was 36 not out at the end as the Blackburn side set their big target.

Enfield found the going tough in reply and were 163-9 at the close.

Bacup won the battle of the bottom two as they claimed just a fourth win of the season thanks to a victory over Colne.

Aubrey Swanepoel made 76 and Tim Farragher fell for 49 as Bacup piled up 250-9 from their 50 overs.

Then it was over to Sam Sanderson and the young left arm spinner had the day of his short career.

He claimed 8-64 as Colne were bowled out for 191 in the final over with Farragher claiming the extra two points with a smart run out.

Haslingden made light work of their game with Rishton as they strolled to a quickfire win at Bentgate.

Matt Griffin and Jack Sudworth were the destroyers-in-chief as Rishton were rushed out for just 62 inside 24 overs.

Griffin claimed 4-17 and Sudworth 3-26 as not a single Rishton batsman managed double figures.

Haslingden skipper Graham Knowles then gave his young guns the chance to see them over the line and they passed their target with five wickets down inside 20 overs with the skipper, pro Brenton Parchment and Phil Hayes all surplus to batting requirements.

Nelson made it three wins on the spin as they beat Todmorden by 15 runs in a high scoring game at Centre Vale.

Nelson posted 237-7 from their 50 overs with half-centuries for professional Ryan Canning and Russ Bradley and 45 from skipper Neil Thompson.

That was just enough for victory as Todmorden closed on 222-9.