OCKERT Erasmus celebrated a superb weekend as a ton and a half century helped Lowerhouse to the top of the Lancashire League and safely through to the first round of the Worsley Cup.

The Liverpool Road professional made 101 not out in Saturday’s cup victory over Rawtenstall and weighed in with 56 in Sunday’s league win over Colne.

Erasmus was well supported by opener Ben Heap at the Horsfield as he made 38 while Joe Hawke (17) and Dean Barlow (16) were also in the runs as the visitors posted 163-6 from their 50 overs.

John Lambert was the pick of the bowlers for Colne as he took a fine 4-25 from 13 overs.

In reply Toqir Hussain starred with the ball as his 5-13 from 10 overs ripped through the home side’s batting line-up.

Colne were 23-6 before Daniel Kegg (17) and Matthew Walker (15 not out) staged something of a reply. But when Kegg was the seventh man out the hosts folded from 52-6 to 65 all out as House won by 98 runs.

That triumph followed a comeback victory in the Worsley Cup preliminary round against Rawtenstall on Saturday.

It looked as though Lowerhouse would be making an early exit from the competition as Keith Roscoe took 3-11 from a splendid 10 over spell to help reduce the home side to 22-5.

Spinner Roscoe accounted for skipper Ben Heap as well as Dean Barlow and Paddy Martin while Adam Hugill and Joe Hawke both fell cheaply to young seamer Adil Hussain.

But Lowerhouse professional Ockert Erasmus was in fine nick and his unbeaten 101 off just 110 balls helped the hosts to a total of 211-7 from their 50 overs. Chris Bleazard provided excellent support with an entertaining 54 off 51 balls which included three sixes and five fours.

In reply, Rawtenstall failed with the bat as they were skittled out for just 79. Tabassum Aziz top scored with 21 while Adil Hussain (15) and openers Andrew Payne and Paul Collis (both 10) were the only other men into double figures. Erasmus completed a man of the match display with 3-3 while Curtis Meehan took 2-13 on his senior debut.

Elsewhere in league action on Sunday, Darwen continued their strong start to their new surroundings with a thumping win over Rishton.

Professional Calvin Savage made an unbeaten 115 and Scott Friend added 46 as the Towers racked up 253-4 from their 50 overs at Rishton.

That proved too much for the home side who were bowled out for 106 with David Bowden taking 3-12. Sub pro Vidura Adikari top scored for Rishton with 14.

East Lancs joined Lowerhouse on 27 points at the top of the pile after they beat Haslingden by four wickets.

Graham Knowles scored 78 as Haslingden were bowled out for 192 in the final over of their innings.

But East Lancs got over their line with 11 overs and four wickets to spare thanks to an unbeaten 90 from professional Andries Gous.

Defending champions Ramsbottom registered their first win of the campaign with a 123 run success over Accrington.

Bradley Fielding made a superb 81 off just 57 balls down the order for Rammy with sub professional Brett Pelser adding 72.

The visitors put up a spirited fight in reply with Michael Erlank making a defiant 56 until he was last man out with six and a half overs remaining.

Clitheroe and Bacup played out a thrilling tie at Lanehead.

The away side batted first with Jack Dewhurst (80 not out) and Charlie Dewhurst (42) underpinning the innings as they closed on 205-6 from 50 overs.

The hosts were well placed to secure victory thanks to professional Ernest Kemm who carried his bat for 104 with Matthew Schofield adding 52 but needing seven to win off the final over Jack Dewhurst restricted them to six and a share of the spoils as they closed on 205-3.

Church got the better of Nelson in a thriller to pick up their first win of the season. The home side successfully chased down Nelson’s 208-7 to win by two wickets with three balls to spare.

Great Harwood beat Enfield by five wickets, timing their pursuit of 216 to perfection as they got home with three balls to spare.

Elsewhere, Kelly Smuts followed up his record breaking score last weekend with an unbeaten 130 to help Todmorden beat Burnley by six wickets.