LOWERHOUSE won the battle for second place in the Foster’s Lancashire League – but new champions Accrington still claimed the headlines on the final day of what has been a terrific season.

Four teams were in the running for the Holland Cup at the start of play yesterday and it was deposed champions who won that race to edge out their cross-town rivals Burnley thanks to a win over Todmorden.

But Accrington proved just why they have been the best team all season as they thumped cellar dwellers Colne with a record breaking 22nd win of the campaign, while professional Ashar Zaidi also eclipsed the club’s 54-year-old batting record on the final day.

Zaidi, who has signed for Church for next season and will play for Sussex against Yorkshire in the County Championship this week – went into the game at The Horsfield needing 89 runs to beat Bobby Simpson’s long-standing mark of 1,444 set back in 1959.

And after Colne, with Read's Mohammad Jamal as sub-pro, had been bowled out for 142, Zaidi, who was dropped early in his innings, led them home with a brilliant 91 and to that club record 22nd win of the season.

Lowerhouse were saying farewell to professional of three years Francois Haasbroek and they secured second thanks to their win over Todmorden.

Charlie Cottam’s men posted 217-9 and that was way too many with Haasbroek claiming the final Todmorden wicket to fall to bring an end to his time at the Neville Gee Recruitment Ground in style.

Burnley ended their campaign in much the way as their second half of the season run – with a win – as they claimed maximum points at East Lancashire to finish in third spot.

East Lancashire donned 70s style shirts as a mark of respect to club stalwarts Brian Ratcliffe and Jim Kenyon and at no other ground was the minute’s silence for the stalwarts more heartfelt than Alexandra Meadows.

But once the play started it was a one-sided affair as Burnley were far too good for their hosts.

Darts star Graham Lalor hit the bullesye with a last day collection as he claimed five wickets, while Adnan Rasool picked up three and Cole Hayman claimed the other two as East Lancashire were hustled out for just 75.

There were a couple of wobbles as Burnley replied but Bharat Tripathi hit 24 not out and Michael Kelly made an unbeaten 20 as they got home with 25 overs to spare to ruin Ockert Erasmus’s final game as East Lancashire professional before he heads to Accrington next term.

Ramsbottom finished on a high and in fourth place as they hammered Church at Acre Bottom.

Sam Halstead led the way with 5-36 as Church never really recovered from the early loss of Levi Wolfenden and were bowled out for just 84 before Ramsbottom eased to a seven-wicket win and 12 points.

Nelson won well on the final day as Tyler McGladdery helped them to 224-7 thanks to a classy 64. Ryan Canning passed 900 runs as he made 39 and skipper Neil Thompson hit 38 to help the Seedhillites piled up the runs.

Brenton Parchment hit a half-century for Haslingden in reply but they fell well short with 16-year-old McGladdery completing a fine day with three wickets.

Daniel Salpietro was just short of a ton for the second time over the weekend – but at least he was smiling yesterday as he said farewell to Rishton.

The Australian hit 95 when playing for Barrow in their ultimately unsuccessful Northern League title tilt and made 98 yesterday – but that not out knock led Rishton to a final day win over Bacup.

Sub-pro Paul Gallagher had shone on his return to the Bacup ranks as the Edenfield pro, who was an amateur star at Lanehead, hit 84 not out to help his men up to 175-8 at Blackburn Road.

But Rishton were in a hurry and had 74 on the board inside 10 overs and they barely slowed down as they strolled home by eight wickets with more than 20 overs to spare as Salpietro just missed out on a ton.

Andrew Payne rolled back with the years with a magnificent knock of 68 but Rawtenstall ended their campaign with a loss to Enfield at Bacup Road as Adam Bracewell’s men got home by six wickets.