LOWERHOUSE earned cross-town bragging rights after sealing a 58-run victory over Burnley in Lancashire League Division One.

Batting first, ‘House got off to a solid start thanks to openers Ben Heap and Jonny Whitehead who forged an opening-wicket stand of 87 before both of them went on to score 52 runs.

It proved to be a vital contribution from the pair as Lowerhouse added just another 56 runs to their total as they closed on 143-6 –- Chris Bleazard, with 10, the only other player to score double figures.

Chris Holt (3-35) and Fergus Bailey (2-17) were the pick of the Burnley bowlers.

In reply, Burnley struggled to get going as Lowerhouse’s attack bowled out the home side for just 85.

Holt (13), Matthew Roberts (10), Qasim Shah (15) and Bharat Tripathi (17) were the only players to reach double figures.

Stephen Parry (3-14), Tariq Hussain (3-19) and Paddy Martin (2-13) did the damage for Lowerhouse.

Darwen made it four wins out of six to remain in second place as they enjoyed a five-wicket win at a Ramsbottom side still looking for some early season form.

Batting first, Ramsbottom were dismissed for 97 with Dave Bowden picking up a ‘five-for’ – eventually finishing with figures of 5-25 from his 13 overs – including the vital wickets of professional Daryn Smit (15) and Harry Caton who top scored with 33.

John Cordingley (3-23) and Kamran Anwar (2-23) also did their bit.

Sub professional Hasnain Abbas was the mainstay of the Darwen reply, scoring 36 with Scott Friend (19), Bowden (16) and Cordingley (10) playing their part with the bat to seal victory.

Unbeaten Walsden remain top of the table thanks to a 151-run win over Middleton.

Bottom of the table Colne are still looking for a first win as they lost by seven wickets to Norden.

Batting first, Colne were dismissed for 89 – after Kenton Rhodes (39) and David Spokes (10) had put on an opening-wicket partnership of 50.

But they lost the next nine wickets for just 39 runs with no other player reaching double figures.

Greg Butterworth (4-21) was the pick of the Norden bowlers.

Norden reached their target for the loss of three wickets.

Clitheroe are up to fourth after beating Crompton by five wickets. Sam Halstead took an excellent 6-51 with Marcus Sharp (3-24) doing his bit as Crompton were bowled out for 76.

Clitheroe lost Tom Lord (4) with just nine runs on the board but Ali Ross (21) and Eli Smith (16) helped secure victory.

Todmorden were beaten at Rochdale who picked up their first win of the season in a game reduced to 28 overs each.

Dale posted 117-5 with Ali Muzaffar top scoring with 38 not out. In reply, Todmorden closed on 87-8 with Ben Sutcliffe making 33.

Haslingden are the new Division Two leaders as they made light work of East Lancs as the rain wrecked the rest of the fixture list.

Batting first, East Lancs were bowled out for just 43 – losing their last eight wickets for just 23 runs as they could not handle the spin bowling of Gary Sudworth and Samit Patel who took nine wickets between them.

Joe Bolton (13) and Sam Finch (9) had got East Lancs off to a steady start but when Finch went with 18 runs on the board – quickly followed by Mark Bolton for a duck – East Lancs collapsed and were bowled out inside 30 overs.

Sudworth returned brilliant figures of 5-5 from his seven overs while sub pro Patel took 4-19. Haslingden then knocked off their target in double quick time, securing victory inside seven overs with Matt Griffin top scoring with an unbeaten 28.

It was the only game to record a result with the five remaining matches all abandoned where some impressive performances proved to be in vain.

Adam Bracewell scored a fine knock of 65 as Enfield scored 135-4 against Accrington. Tiarnan Hamill (30) and Yasir Ali (21no) also impressed while Toby Bulcock and Thomas Walker took two wickets apiece. But rain halted play and both teams had to settle for three points.

Rishton were just 43 runs from victory when their match against Rawstenstall was halted,

Rawstenstall were bowled out for 98 and Rishton were 55-1 and on course for victory – with Saj Patel (34no) and Josh Whitehead (19no) – still at the crease until rain stopped play.

Nelson’s paid man Usman Tariq top scored with 63 and Russell Bradley added a quick-fire 60 in an impressive total of 210-6 against Greenmount who did not get the chance to bat.

Sagar Trivedi (73) and Josh Scully (68) both impressed with the bat in Church’s 215-7 total in the Hyndburn derby clash at Great Harwood whose professional Thikshila de Silva took 5-51.

However, rain once again prevented the hosts from batting.

And previous leaders Littleborough slipped down to second place after their match at Bacup was abandoned.