RAMSBOTTOM have once again maintained their 100 percent record with a close encounter at Thorneylome Road with the visitors winning by six runs, writes Matthew Jones.

Accrington win the toss and decided to field. Jake Clarke soon removed Tom Parton for five but then professional Daryn Smit and Brad Fielding added 54 until Fielding departed for 14.

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Further contributions from Michael Howarth (11 not out) and Tom Booth (8 not out) saw Ramsbottom post 139-6. Smit top scored with 84 which included 10 fours and 2 sixes.

Accrington professional Ockert Erasmus top scored with 61 but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat as Smit took (4-21) and Booth (3-28) as Accrington fell six runs short.

Rawtenstall overcame East Lancs as they won by one run at the Worswick Memorial Ground. East Lancs won the toss and decided to field, openers Matt Kershaw (46) and Dan Barlow (29) added 67 before a flurry of wickets left them 100-8. Mini Bhada achieved an amateur record by taking (6-20) off his four overs after being (6-4) off 2.1. But a ninth wicket partnership between Rob Ancil (15) and Imran Abid (12 not out) left them 123-9.

Mini Bhada then hit 33 with other scores from Ben Westhead who top scored with 43 and John Turner (14) but it wasn’t enough to give East Lancs the victory as they remain third in the league. Andy Riley took (5-28) and Rizwan Shafiq (3-10) as the pair restricted East Lancs to 122-8.

In the other groups fixture, Rishton recorded their second win of the T20 competition with a convincing nine wicket win over Todmorden at Blackburn Road. Rishton won the toss and decided to field, Kelly Mall took (2-12) and D Briggs (2-22) as Rishton restricted Todmorden to 93 all out. Ben Pearson top scored with 23 while Freddie Priestley added 22.

In replay, Rishton reached their target in 13.5 overs with the expense of one wicket. Rishton professional Kelly Smuts top scored with 63 while Matt Nuttall hit an unbeaten 26.

In the Pride of Pride Group, Burnley thrashed local rivals Lowerhouse by nine wickets at Turf Moor. After Burnley won the toss and decided to bowl, they had the visitors 7-5 with Jhangir Liaqat (4-14) ripping through the top order. But Fergus Bailey (45 not out) and Joe Martin (39 not out) batted out the overs to see Lowerhouse finish on 99-5.

In reply, Vishal Tripathi hit an unbeaten 56 and Jonathan Clare 29 as Burnley reached Lowerhouse’s target in 12.1 overs.

Church go top as they beat Nelson by 34 runs at Seedhill. Church won the toss and decided to bat first. Professional Usman Tariq hit 61 and Jack Gaskill added 21 as Church posted 124-8 in 20 overs.

Kamran Basharat then took (4-23) and Ali Sartaj (3-25) as Church bowled out Nelson for 90 in 19.5 overs. Harrison Phelan top scored with 26.

Haslingden professional Burton de Wett smashed 107 as Haslingden overcame Bacup by 74 runs at Lanehead. De Wett’s 107 consisted 13 fours and 4 sixes. Matt Griffin also smashed 73 as they posted 211-5 in their 20 overs.

Griffin then took (3-27) and Jake Neary (2-20) as Haslingden restricted Bacup to 137-6.