LOWERHOUSE took another step towards only their second Lancashire League title on Saturday as they shot 15 points clear of the chasing pack after Jon Finch inspired them to a win over Haslingden.

And while The House were going clear, Accrington roared into third spot as they eased past Todmorden at Centre Vale to further enhance an already enthralling title race.

And the top three now have a gap between themselves and the chasing pack after Church's game at Colne was abandoned and reigning champions Ramsbottom were rocked by a fourth straight loss as Burnley won at Acre Bottom.

The House won for the 15th time in their 18 games as they beat Haslingden after restricting the visitors to 142-9 from a rain reduced 44 overs.

Finch was the star as he claimed 6-24 to pass 40 wickets for the season and then Joe Martin made 40 and pro Francois Haasbroek hit 34 not out as Lowerhouse strolled in.

Accrington won by 38 runs at Todmorden in the midst of the Todstock festival.

Pro Ashar Zaidi hit 87 as Accrington posted 185-2 with Stuart Crabtree carrying his bat for 65.

Nick Barker (42) and Qaiser Abbas (41) gave Todmorden hope but they eventually fell 38 runs short with Jimmy Hayhurst, David Ormerod and Zaidi each claiming two wickets.

Ramsbottom were stunned as Burnley claimed a three-wicket win as they chased down the home side's 193-6 at Acre Bottom.

Pro Shanan Stewart hit 93 and David Bell scored 57 as Rammy seemed to be back on track.

Jon Fielding claimed 5-68 as Burnley replied but Qasim Ali was sensational as he plunded 84 and Josh Whitehead made 33 as Burnley got home with three overs and three wickets to spare.

Andrew Payne maintained his excellent run of form as Rawtenstall beat East Lancashire at Bacup Road.

And professional Nilantha Cooray also starred with the bat a week after he and Payne shone in the record breaking win over Ramsbottom.

Last week they shared an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 200 and on Saturday they shared 193 for the fourth wicket as they coasted past East Lancs 213.

Payne made 73 and Cooray a thrilling 114 as they won in style after being 21-3.

Earlier Payne had picked up four wickets as Ockert Erasmus top scored with 75 and David Pearson chipped in with 43 in East Lancs decent total.

Nelson borrowed Derbyshire's brilliant South African Wayne Madsen for their game at Enfield - but they were rocked by a big loss at Dill Hall Lane.

Werner Coetsee hit 76 for Enfield as they posted 200-7 and despite Madsen top scoring with 41, Nelson were rolled for 104 with Liam Jackson the pick of the bowlers with four wickets.

Ali Sartaj claimed five wickets as Rishton beat Bacup in a thrilling game at Blackburn Road.

Shaun Wyse top scored with 33 as Rishton were128 all out with sub pro Pieter Malan, who is set to break the Northern League batting record, failing with the bat.

But Malan produced the goods with the ball and claimed four wickets and Sartaj bagged his five as Bacup were 109 all out.