ANDREW Payne smashed his way into the record books on a sensational day for Rawtenstall at Colne as the Lancashire League ended in style yesterday.

The veteran Payne hit an astonishing 182 as his side went on a run spree at The Horsfield, posting 342.

Payne faced just 130 balls in an innings that wins him the Lancashire Telegraph Tankard for the highest score of the season, pipping the 162 made by Haslingden skipper Graham Knowles earlier in the season.

Pro Naved Arif hit a half-century and Andy Clough made 48 in support to hero Payne, who was cheered from all corners.

And then Keith Roscoe wheeled away to take six wickets as Rawtenstall won com-fortably.

Test ace Brendan Nash bowed out of the Lancashire League by helping East Lancashire into third place yesterday.

The Australian-born West Indian made 29 with the bat as the Blackburn side were made to work hard for their runs on a really tough track at Alexandra Meadows.

But they did post 143-6 from their reduced 39 overs thanks largely to 56 from Mark Lomas, who reached his 50 from 92 balls in 118 minutes, and 33 from Mark Bolton.

Lowerhouse sub-pro Steven Crook claimed 3-62 from 20 overs and Jonathan Finch bowled superbly to claim 3-71.

But the Lowerhouse innings never gained momentum and despite a late surge, they were 120-7 at the close with Nash, who will not be re-signed, claimed five wickets with his accurate left-arm bowling, while Mark Lomas took two superb catches.

He jets out of the country this morning to swap soggy Blackburn for Jamaica, where he is back in action on Wednesday.

Nash was given a standing ovation as he left the field.

Champions Ramsbottom created a new Lancashire League record as they won for the 23rd time this season.

That effort, from their 26 games, broke the mark set by East Lancashire as they won with relative ease at Church.

Second-placed Haslingden’s Bentgate clash with Nelson fell victim to the recent bad weather with the ground unfit.

Bacup may have finished bottom but rounded off their season with a second successive win as they beat Rishton at Lanehead.

Accrington’s season of strife ended on a low as they were beaten at Thorneyholme Road by derby rivals Enfield, while the latest finish of the final day saw Todmorden just pip Burnley at a gloomy Turf Moor.

Batting first Todmorden made 155 and Burnley pushed them close before falling just short with nine wickets.