REIGNING champions Accrington bid to extend a remarkable winning run over derby rivals Rishton tomorrow as the Foster’s Lancashire League season reaches the halfway stage with the second part of a double header weekend.

Accrington have not been in the best of form this season with their cause hampered by injury to veteran seamer David Ormerod and the regular unavailability of former Lancashire star Graham Lloyd due to his First Class umpiring commitments.

And skipper Stuart Crabtree faces a long spell on the sidelines after being banned for 10 matches by the league’s disciplinary committee to further throw a spanner in the works.

However, Crabtree has appealed the ban and is free to lead his men this weekend as they look to climb up the table from eighth place.

And as they head to Rishton the omens are in their favour.

They have won every league match against their Hyndburn rivals since 2008 and are keen to extend that run and keep their title defence on the go.

Game of the day is the battle between third and fourth placed sides as Enfield face Church at Dill Hall Lane.

Church are third and in rude health this term with professional Usman Tariq starting to hit form, while Levi Wolfenden has been in top nick all season.

Enfield too are a big danger as their comprehensive win at Accrington last Sunday showed and they are capable of sustaining their challenge this season.

Rawtenstall legend Keith Roscoe goes in search of his 100th five-wicket haul of his Rocky career this weekend and it would perhaps be fitting if he claimed that milestone tomorrow as Burnley head to the Worswick Memorial Ground.

The 52-year-old claimed his first league victim when playing for Bacup against Burnley back in 1979 when he had Roland Harrison caught by Barry Wilson – and he has not looked back since.

Second-placed Ramsbottom entertain East Lancashire at Acre Bottom in a game that often throws up great entertainment, while leaders Lowerhouse bid to take another step towards recapturing the crown as they host Bacup at the Neville Gee Recruitment Ground.

Nelson are another side in form and they travel to face Todmorden in another game to savour.