JONATHAN Clare scored an unbeaten century as Burnley took a firmer grip on the Lancashire League as title rivals Ramsbottom slipped to defeat.

The talented Clare hit a boundary-laden 116 as Burnley breezed to victory over East Lancashire at Alexandra Meadows.

Clare’s cracking innings included nine fours and five sixes as Burnley finished on 294-4.

MORE TOP STORIES:

David Brown was also in fine form with the bat. He put on a third wicket stand of 181 with Clare on his way to scoring 86 which included 12 fours and a six - while Michael Brown weighed in with 46 in Burnley’s hefty total.

In reply, East Lancashire were bowled out for 121, Mark Lomas top scoring with 26 which took him beyond the 9,000 runs mark in the Lancashire League.

Burnley professional Chris Holt took 7-39 with skipper Bharat Tripathi taking 3-9.

Burnley are now 17 points clear of Ramsbottom who fell foul to the evergreen Keith Roscoe whose ‘five for’ meant he had completed a five-wicket haul against every team in the league.

The veteran slow left armer took 5-12 as Ramsbottom were bowled out for just 85 - opener Tom Parton top scoring with 42.

Rawtenstall made hard work of securing victory, as they were 14-4 and then 28-5 before Joe McCluskie (38 not out) and Dean Barlow (26 not out) put on a 61-run stand to see them home.

Defending champions Lowerhouse enjoyed a six wicket win over Rishton at The Neville Gee Recruitment Ground.

Batting, first Rishton reached 143-9 at the end of their allotted overs, professional Kelly Smuts top scoring with 53 with Josh Whitehead (16) and Josh Brown (22no) the only other Rishton players to hit double figures.

In reply, young Joe Halstead hit a career best 44 which included a 61-run stand with Joe Martin (28. Professional Cobus Pienaar hit an unbeaten 36 from 37 balls with six fours as third players Lowerhouse rached their target for the loss of four wickets.

Church battle back from an early collapse to beat Todmorden.

Batting first, Todmorden were bowled out for 138 with sub professional Hasnain Abbas top scored with 60. Ali Sartaj did the damage for Church taking 6-26.

In reply, Church slumped to 37-4 but Levi Wolfenden (39) and then Bilal Abbas (46) and Jack Gaskill (30 not out) guided them to victory. Martin Harlow was the pick of the Todmorden bowlers finishing with figures of 5-46.

Ockert Erasmus scored a brilliant unbeaten 95 as Accrington enjoyed a dramatic win over Nelson .

Erasmus, who has resigned for the Thorneyholme Road side for next season, smashed eights fours and a six to seal a last over victory.

Batting first, Nelson reached 190-7 with Harrison Phelan top scoring with 51 with Bradley adding 45.

Accrington lost early wickets in their reply but Stuart Crabtree (34) helped steady the ship before Erasmus took over, hitting a six in the first ball of the last over to seal victory.

Liam Bedford hit a league best unbeaten 68 from 69 balls with ten fours and a six to lead Enfield to a 9 wicket win over Colne in just 21.1 overs. Colne were bowled out for 114 with Enfield reaching their target for the loss of five wickets.

And Haslingden beat Bacup by seven wickets, wicketkeeper Ethan Stanton taking four catches on his league debut while Jo Sipocz took 5-58.

Haslingden professional Burton de Wett top scored with 41 to help seal victory.