COLNE have sealed promotion and will be playing in Division One of the Lancashire League next season.

The long-time leaders got over the line despite defeat a 43-run defeat at second in the table Middleton on Sunday.

Colne had started the weekend’s double-header with a 98-run win over East Lancashire at The Horsfield 24 hours earlier.

Professional James Price scored 81 of his side’s 224 all out, the visitors then dismissed for 126.

East Lancs would bounce back on Sunday with a thumping nine-wicket win over bottom side Milnrow, Joe Bolton taking 7-24 to help dismiss the strugglers for just 94.

Middleton were edged out in a three-wicket defeat to Enfield on Saturday but upset Colne with a victory that means they need 12 points from their final two games to be promoted.

Paid man Chris Williams was the star, hitting 98 not out of his side’s 182-5. Colne were dismissed for 139.

Elsewhere in Division Two, Rawtenstall came out on top in their derby with a nine-wicket win against Bacup on Saturday, professional Jovaun van Wyngaardt taking 5-24 and then hitting a quick-fire 46 not out.

They came crashing back down to earth on Sunday however with a 152-run defeat at Rishton whose professional Mansoor Amjad hit 111 of their 199-7.

Brad Boddie took 6-11 as Rawtenstall were all out for 47.

Rishton had gone down to a three-wicket defeat against Great Harwood in their game at the Cliffe on Saturday, Amjad having started a fine weekend with 79.

Great Harwood completed a good weekend with a 26-run win over Nelson who had gone down to a nine-wicket defeat against Littleborough at Hare Hill on Saturday.

Haslingden had a mixed couple of days. First Matt Griffin hit 115 in a 182-run win at Milnrow on Saturday, the visitors posting 273-5 with the hosts all out for just 94. 

On Sunday, Haslingden went down to a six-wicket defeat at home to Littleborough.