STRUGGLING East Lancashire slipped to a 10th defeat of the season as they were beaten by seven wickets by Ramsbottom at Acre Bottom.

Batting first, East Lancs, who are one place off the bottom of the table, were dismissed for just 89 runs with Dan Lord top scoring with 29.

Only captain John Turner (13) and professional Eddy Read (17) managed double figures as Simon Hanson (5-37) was the pick of the Rammy bowlers.

In reply, the hosts reached their target inside 20 overs with Hanson following up his efforts with the ball by scoring 37 with the bat with Martin Cropper (16) and paid man Werner Coetsee (15) playing their part.

Lowerhouse kept their title charge on track with a big win over Littleborough.

‘House sub professional, Akbar Ur-Rehman, took 5-24 as Littleborough were bowled out for 122 who then played a supported role with the bat, scoring 33, as Ben Heap top scored with 66 as the home side eased to victory.

Lancashire League champions Clitheroe slipped to another defeat as they were beaten by 58 runs at Bacup.

The hosts batted first and were dismissed for 174.

Openers Simon Newbitt and professional Ernest Kemm put on 69 runs in an opening wicket partnership before Newbitt went for 42. Kemm was joined by Matt Schofield (33) but once the professional went for 54, Bacup lost their last seven wickets for 30 runs.

But Kemm was in fine form with the ball as well as he took 4-17 as Clitheroe were bowled out for 116 with paid man Fawad Alam top scoring with 25.

Enfield enjoyed a seven wicket win over Colne at Dill Hall Lane.

Arthur Price scored 64 as Colne posted 169-9 with Enfield pro Pussegolla taking 4-48 before hitting an unbeaten 64 with opener Lewis Wright scoring an important 39 runs.

Church’s hopes of securing a top five finish were boosted as they beat Haslingden.

Batting first, Church scored 228 from their allotted over with Josh Scully scoring a half century before bowling Haslingden out for 149.

Accrington dented Darwen’s hopes of winning the title as they won at Birch Hall.

Kieren Grimshaw top scored for the visitors with 77 as Accrington posted 234-8 with Janith Vimukthi (47) and Andrw Greenwood (31) both contributing.

Calvin Savage scored 41 and Mark Friend 44 but Darwen were dismissed for 198.

Rawtenstall won by 18 runs at Middleton thanks mainly to the efforts of Imran Abid (64) and Keegan Petersen (65no).

Qaiser Abbas scored an unbeaten 88 and took two wickets as Nelson beat Todmorden by five wickets.

Leaders Walsden (355-8) beat Great Harwood (182 all out), Norden beat Rochdale and Rishton lost to Crompton.