CHURCH, Clitheroe, Ramsbottom and Walsden are through to the semi-finals of the Lancashire League President’s Cup after the group stages of the competition were completed.

All four teams reached the knockout stages with unbeaten records – just one abandoned game apiece denying them a clean sweep of victories.

Ramsbottom topped Group One and will face Group Three winners Clitheroe on Sunday with Church playing Walsden for a place in the final the following weekend.

With five teams in Group One, Rammy had the luxury of sitting out the final round of games knowing they had already booked their place in the semi-finals thanks to wins over Burnley, Littleborough and Middleton. Last weekend’s clash with Norden was a washout.

With just one team progressing to the last four from each group there was little room for error and so it proved as league champions Burnley paid the price for losing their opening game to Ramsbottom as they went on to win their next three games – culminating with victory at Middleton – to finish as runners-up.

Batting first, Burnley were bowled out for 126 with Qasim Shah top scoring with 42. In reply, Middleton were skittled out for 65 – professional Ockie Erasmus taking a superb six wickets for just four runs.

Also in Group One, Norden beat Littleborough.

Church topped Group Two, finishing with a convincing victory over East Lancs.

Batting first, Church amassed 233-6 with Sam Holt top scoring with 72 while there were decent contributions from Craig Fergusson (32) and Kelan Florentine (42).

In reply, East Lancs reached 157-8, John Turner (34), Ben Finch (27) and Niall Boyle (24) the pick of the batsmen. Liam Dyson took 3-35.

Enfield beat Accrington by two wickets. Accrington posted 140-8 – opener Jonny Hayhurst scoring a half century – before openers Lewis Wright (41) and Alfie Cook (35) set the foundations for the home side’s victory.

The game between Rishton and Great Harwood ended in a tie, both teams bowled out for 128.

In Group Three, Clitheroe sealed a nine-wicket victory over Bacup with Harry Lang (55) and Jack Dewhurst (57) chasing down the visitors' total of 150-7.

Dewhurst and Marcus Sharp took two wickets while Matt Thompson top scored with 48.

Colne came out on top in their derby clash with Nelson, winning by two wickets.

Nelson reached 165-6 with Lewis Bradley top scoring with 77 before Lewis Rimmer (31) and Matthew Walker (36) helped Colne reach their target.

Connor Reed scored 100 as Haslingden won at Rawtenstall. Alex Coleman scored 60 in an impressive 246-9 total.

In reply, Haslingden were bowled out for 189 with Abbas Ahmad top scoring with 55. Joe Hayton took 4-45.

Walsden chased down Todmorden’s total of 180-8 for the loss of four wickets to top Group Four.

Jonathan Whitehead scored 124 – hitting nine fours and five sixes – as Lowerhouse beat Darwen by 17 runs.

Charlie Cottam scored an unbeaten 61 in Lowerhouse’s 222-2 total.

In reply, Scott Friend (32) and Jordan Clarke (42) got Darwen off to a solid start with John Cordingley (24) and Mark Friend (20) carrying on the good work.

But despite a late unbeaten 33 from Tobias Ramwell, Darwen fell just short. Taqir Hussain (3-39) and Paddy Martin (3-32) were the pick of the bowlers

Elsewhere, Crompton won at Rochdale.