EAST Lancashire and Rawtenstall made it three wins from three games as the Foster’s Lancashire League season continues to enthrall in its early stages as the first double header of the season came to a thrilling end yesterday.

And reigning champions Accrington also recovered from their Saturday setback to beat Burnley, who have lost all three games to date despite the appearance yesterday of Derbyshire star Jon Clare.

Clare made 35 before being run out and Burnley’s batting never really got the upper hand as they closed on 168-9 at Turf Moor.

Graham Lalor’s late 30 helped them up to that figure but Accrington coasted to a win thanks to Simon Hanson’s 76 not out.

East Lancashire and Haslingden have both impressed and their game turned into a classic.

Batting first after winning the toss, Mark Bolton’s men had to graft for every run with professional Matthew Kleinveldt top scoring with 52 out of their 148 all out. The South African was a study in patience on a slow and low wicket and his 125-ball innings didn’t contain a single boundary as he showed a real maturity, while Chris Riley made an equally obdurate 16.

Phill Hayes and Graham Knowles opened the reply and raced to 44 after seven overs.

But they fell quickly for 19 and 20 respectively but there seemed little panic, despite a couple more wickets, and with sub-pro Qaiser Abbas and Alex Coleman at the crease they were well set for a routine win.

Abbas fell to a stunning Mini Bhada catch in the deep for 16 and an over later Coleman was well caught by Dave Turner and the fun started.

From 103-4 Haslingden slipped to 106-8 and 117-9 but Connor Reed had other ideas as he was joined by Jack Sudworth.

With Sudworth on defensive duties, Reed hit three sixes and looked capable of pulling an unlikely win out of the fire but he was last out for 26 as Kleinveldet completed a great day with 6-56, while Bhada finished with 3-6.

Brett Pelser put Nelson to the sword as Rawtenstall claimed a fine win. He claimed 6-42 as Nelson were bowled out for 166 and after Rocky lost Chris Cook-Martin and Danny Barlow with the score on 36 they could have wobbled. But Pelser joined Sam Kershaw and the pair put on 131 with Pelser finishing unbeaten on 101 and Kershaw 44.

Matt Walker and Paddy Martin both claimed four wickets as Lowerhouse finally got their season up and running thanks to a win at Enfield.

The House piled up 214-6 with Cobus Pienaar and Joey Hawke making half-centuries with Hawke at his explosive best.

Enfield were in the hunt for a while but when Werner Coetsee went for 51 they were up against it and were 137 all out.

Church recorded an eight-wicket win over Bacup. Anthony Taylor made 37 for Bacup but they were all out for 133 and Church were in no mood to slip up. Usman Tariq made 45 not out and Lloyd Aspin hit 30 while Levi Wolfenden continued his run of form with 44.

Rishton beat Colne as they claimed a 56-run win, their first of the campaign.

Matt Hulett made 44 and Abdul Biswoodall 37 as Rishton posted 195 but Colne were on course at 128-1 with Joel Duerden and Ali Azmat making 50s. However, there was a big collapse from the Horsfielders as they subsided to 139 all out.

Class act Tom Parton made a half-century and Daryn Smit hit 47 as Ramsbottom posted 223-6 against Todmorden before Smit, who is the captain and wicketkeeper for Nahua Dolphins, claimed 7-29 as Tod could only reply with 169-8.