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East Lancs went to the top of the EW Cartons Lancashire League table despite losing their game against Ramsbottom in an amazing finish at Acre Bottom.

Chasing Rammy's total of 108 all out, the men from the Meadows had only 24 overs to get their target after losing 90 minutes to the rain.

But some pinch-hitting from Jan Van Boeckell (13), Paul Kelly (14) and Nassir Iqbal (22 not out) meant they went into Mick Haslam's final over on 99-8, still needing nine for victory.

They managed to scramble seven runs but Matt Egan and Ian Haworth were then run out off the last two balls to give Ramsbottom the honours.

However, it was a risk worth taking for East Lancs skipper Phil Mercer, who was still a happy man as his side picked up seven bonus points because the match was completed.

Had East Lancs not been bowled out, both sides would have picked up two points for a no result because the side batting second must face 30 overs for it to constitute a match.

Ramsbottom's Brian Taylor had been the mainstay of his side's innings earlier in the day with a belligerent 47 off 118 balls as wickets tumbled.

But once he was seventh man out with the score on 91, Ian Haworth (5-45) and professional Claude Henderson (4-43) had few problems in mopping up. Champions Nelson managed to avoid the showers by beating Lowerhouse in double-quick time to wrap up maximum points and join East Lancs at the top of the table. And it was spin-king Roger Harper who once again took the plaudits with another devastating spell of 7-13 as Lowerhouse were skittled for a miserly 46.

Only Matt Hope (13) managed double figures as Harper mesmerised the home side in a vintage 16.2 over spell. And the West Indian was well supported by Danny Kegg who helped himself to 3-33.

Nelson had no such problems in reply and, despite the loss of Chris Willan for 7, Duncan Spencer (29 not out) and Paul Garaghty (10 not out) knocked off the runs inside 13.3 overs to seal a nine-wicket win.

Rain ruined Church's chances of wrapping up a much-needed victory against Enfield at Dill Hall Lane.

After bowling out the home side for a meagre 96, Mark Aspin's men were in the box seat at the interval.

But their reply was stopped in its tracks at 6-0 after five overs when the rain came down at 4.30pm and they never got back on to complete the job.

Earlier in the day, a fine opening spell from Nick Westwell (3-27) ripped the heart out of the Enfield top order.

Only a defiant 27 from skipper Andy Barker and a brave knock from tailender David Bracewell (17 not out) prevented a total disaster as West Indian professional Neil McGarrell (4-31) wiped out the middle order.

Todmorden professional Brendan Nash turned in a superb all-round performance as his side bounced back from their Worsley Cup exit to secure an eight-wicket win over Bacup.

Nash swung the ball prodigiously to pick up 6-21 and make it 12 wickets for the weekend as Bacup were dismissed for 130.

The visitors were on the back foot from the off as professional Brad White was caught behind off Stuart Parker from the first ball of the match. Mark Taylor (37) and Peter Killelea (26) got their heads down but both then played rash shots to fall within six runs of each other and leave Bacup on 74-4, a position from which they never really recovered.

Todmorden lost Stewart Priestley early in their run-chase but Nash completed his job with an unbeaten half-century.

Skipper Richard Baigent added 36 as the pair took Todmorden to the brink of victory before Baigent fell to White to allow Scholefield to accompany Nash over the winning line.

A 112-run second-wicket partnership between John Hall and professional Lloyd Ferreira paved the way for Rawtenstall's 30-run win over Accrington.

The pair came together on 32 and took the score on to 144 before Ferreira went for a polished 64 from 103 balls with five fours and one six.

Richard Wood kept the momentun going and helped the impressive Hall take the total to 186 when the opener became Mark Bailey's second victim for 68, made from 124 balls with eight fours and a six.

Rawtenstall's 199-4 was too much for Accrington despite a brave chase led by Mas Ahmed. He hit five fours and two sixes in his 58 made from 99 balls and shared a 74-run stand with Mark Burns to keep Accrington in touch.

However, Burns departed with the score on 108 and Accrington's last chance disappeared when Ahmed was the eighth man out at 144, Peter Seal and Richard Glover each taking four wickets.

Rishton set title-chasing Haslingden a stiff target at Blackburn Road but rain prevented the visitors from setting off in pursuit of a score of 180-6.

The home side scored consistently after openers Jimmy Bibby (40) and Neil Wells (21) set the tone with an opening stand of 56.

Jonathan Dobson and professional Paul Wiseman then both got into the thirties but their efforts were in vain, as were those of Haslingden skipper Stuart Taylor, who bagged 3-25.