CHURCH were totally demolished at West End on Saturday by a virtual one-man wrecking ball in the shape of classy Kiwi Shanan Stewart.

The New Zealand professional has been in red hot form at the crease this season and scored an inspired knock of 133 as East Lancs ran out comfortable winners by 146 runs.

His blisterning innings included seven fours and five sixes off 152 balls.

Set a total of 221 to win, Church were immediately hit with the full force of Stewart, who went on to claim a magnificent eight wickets at a cost of just 34 runs.

Ramsbottom professional Sunil Joshi stepped up to the plate with a similarly dazzling performance and became the driving force in his side's 16-run win over Colne.

With the visitors put into bat first, the Pakistan left-hander made a tidy 39 before being caught off Matthew Clark.

Ramsbottom were ably assisted with a knock of 79 from Chris Read to post a challenging total of 220 for seven.

But it was with the ball that Joshi made his mark, claiming a six-wicket haul, that included the prize scalp of professional Greg Mail, who had almost single-handedly dragged the home side to victory with his third century of the season.

Accrington's dismal season continued over at Lanehead as Bacup cruised to a 46-run win.

Left chasing a total of 188 from the home side, Mohsin Ahmed did his best with a score of 72 not out, but a combination of David Warren, Chris Harris and Terry Lord, saw the League's bottom club dismissed for 140.

The return of New Zealand professional Craig McMillan couldn't inspire Nelson in a rain-affected game at Bentgate.

His return to East Lancashire had been delayed and it looked to be worth the wait as he claimed the wicket of Haslingden skipper Mike Ingham with his very first ball.

But solid innings from Dan Christian (34) and Lewis McIntosh (39) saw the home side set a target of 135.

Christian claimed four wickets and McIntosh two as Nelson's reply fell 21 runs short.

Danny Barlow hit his third half century of the season as Rawtenstall inflicted the second successive defeat on stuttering Enfield.

Keith Roscoe was the hero of the hour at Dill Hall Lane, the spinner capturing five wickets, leaving the home side 34 runs short of their 157 total.

Todmorden captain Jon Henderson took 5-33 to help his side to a 55 run win at Lowerhouse in a 31 overs a side game.

Francois du Plessis finished the match unbeaten on 89 with nine boundaries and a six.

Henderson and Mo Bux (3-52) then rolled the home side over for 100. Skipper Jon Finch top scored with 35.

Jon Clare hit 54 in Burnley's 34-run win over Rishton, although the home side remained at the top of the league.

He was helped by Ben Law and Jon Harvey as the home side raced to a target of 173.

Rishton battled in vain with reasonable knocks from Saeed Anwar (32), who had earlier claimed 6-52, and John Cordingley (36 not out).