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Lancashire League: Colne 93-1 (12pts), Burnley 92 (0)

Joe Scuderi didn't hang around as he propelled Colne to their fourth straight league win in plenty of time to follow Australia's dramatic qualification for the World Cup semi-finals.

Horrified at the thought that Zimbabwe could pip Australia to a last-four spot without winning a game at the Super Six stage, Scuderi obviously felt justice had been done at Headingley.

And just as the Aussies had held sway over South Africa in Leeds, so Scuderi outplayed Burnley and their South African professional Anthony Botha at the Horsfield.

Hearing the Super Six outcome was a bonus, however, as the real reason for Scuderi's haste in securing a nine-wicket success was the impending threat of rain which was the only obstacle to a Colne victory once they had dismissed Burnley for 92.

Scuderi, who took 5-22 from 19.5 overs, raced to an unbeaten 60 and shared an unbroken 88-run stand with Gary Hunt.

The South Australian was never likely to labour against an attack weakened by an early injury to strike bowler Kamran Farooq.

But once a light drizzle started and word got round that other games were struggling to finish, he upped the tempo even more.

``Initally that wasn't the plan but we heard that some of the other games were off, so we got them as quickly as we could.

``With no replay dates left it was important to get the win,'' Scuderi confirmed. The net result was a 44-ball half-century which contained seven fours and two sixes.

He went past 50 when taking 12 off an over from Khizar Saeed as rain rolled up the valley and the job was finished inside 17 overs as Colne marched on.

``We have played very well in the last few weeks compared with the start of the season when we were the team getting bowled out for 80-odd. Hopefully the lads will keep it up.

``It's just great for the club and the supporters that we are in the semi-finals of the cup and making our way up the league,'' Scuderi added.

Burnley, on the other hand, are struggling after a bright start to the campaign.

They have now lost four league games and twice in cups since their last victory at the start of May.

They were in trouble from the off yesterday as Scuderi and a smart pick-up and throw from John Lambert to run-out Phil Edmondson reduced them to 29-4, one of the professional's victims being Botha, caught at slip by Gary Laycock for a duck.

Chris Swift helped restore some respectability as he hung around for 82 balls to make 18 in the middle order.

But Hunt winkled him out and two others to complete a fine day of his own before Scuderi mopped up the tail to complete his five-wicket haul.

Colne looked as though they had missed out on maximum points when Scuderi dropped a dolly off his own bowling and Glynn Sedman spilled another chance in the deep. But, to his relief, Scuderi made amends by finding Farooq's edge from the penultimate ball of the Burnley innings.

``It's better if you can get the 12. Most games go down to 10 points so if you can keep picking up the extra two it could make a big difference by the end of the season,'' he added.

Farooq then struck an early blow when he had Andy Leah caught behind with the home side on five but Burnley's slim hopes disappeared when the lively Farooq limped off with a pulled hamstring.

His replacement, youngster James Anderson, went for 18 in his first over as he was plagued by four no-balls, driven through the covers by Scuderi and then lifted over mid-wicket on to Keighley Road when he dropped short to the pro.

Botha bowled well at the other end and it was the final ball of his fifth over before he was hit to the fence for the first time.

But with Hunt playing a sensible supporting role and their paid-man in full-flight, driving imperiously whenever the chance presented itself, Colne and the ultra-consistent Scuderi were always in control.

``I take a lot of pride in my performance and at how the team is going,'' said Scuderi, now in his eighth Lancashire League season.

``When the team isn't doing well it hurts me, as it does the others. When we're having some success everyone is happy.''