Accrington get dose of bad luck

Firstly, the Thorneyholme Road outfit discovered bowler James Hayhurst would be out of action for a couple of weeks following an accident at work, then two of their star performers were injured in action at home to Lowerhouse on Saturday.

After Zahir Afzal pulled a hamstring while catching out Matt Hope, wicket-keeper and top order batsman Adam Barnes was taken to hospital with concussion.

The 22-year-old was taking a quick single from a leg bye when Lowerhouse professional Ryan Harris threw the ball towards the stumps in an effort to run him out but the ball thumped Barnes on the back of his head.

He was taken to hospital and released later that day but is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks.

In the meantime, Lowerhouse made use of their extra men by extending their winning run to five games. Chris Bleazard racked up 10,000 runs for the club in emphatic style, reaching 106 off 105 balls thanks to three sixes and eight fours.

There was no joy for Todmorden professional Gyandera Pandey as Haslingden won at Centre Vale by six wickets.

Indian all-rounder Pandey hit an unbeaten 133 in Todmorden's 210-4 and received good support from David Whitehead, who notched 33.

But it was not to be enough as Asif Mujtaba powered to 84 and Steve Dearden cracked an unbeaten 95 in a third wicket partnership of 147.

That put Haslingden in a healthy position and they cruised through to their target with six wickets to spare.

Another professional in fine form with the bat was Nelson's Joe Scuderi - the former Lancashire county player hit an unbeaten 129 at Seedhill as visitors Rishton were beaten by 104.

The key partnership was for the sixth wicket when Scuderi put on 107 with Stuart Lemon, who struck a confident 46, and Rishton were rocked on to the back foot - their professional Rob Nicol finishing with figures of 3-114 as the home side closed on 220-6.

The reply never got going with only Mark Leathert, who hit 37, offering any resistance as Rishton's reply stuttered to 116 all out.

Paul Beech led the home attack with three victims for 24 runs while there were two wickets each for Martin Heap, Danny Kegg and Stuart Lemon.

The dominant feature of East Lancs' home game with champions Bacup was once again the batting form of East Lancs' professional Johann Louw.

His unbeaten 132 came from just 110 balls, and included four fours and an incredible 13 sixes - his first 50 was from 66 balls and his second from just 33 deliveries.

Louw also took the important wicket of his opposite number, Shaun Young.

For Young it was not a day to remember - wicketless and failing to trouble the scorers.

The last three overs of the East Lancs innings produced an amazing 53 runs, with David Ormerod conceding 23. In fact, Ormerod gave away 69 runs from his final four overs, Louw being the main benefactor.

In the Bacup innings, at 34-3 and Young back in the pavilion, the target looked a tough one. But Tim Farragher and James Cunliffe strenghtened the middle order to make the final score respectable.

Unfortunately, Cunliffe had to retire hurt due to a knee injury. He faced just 48 balls, and scored four fours and two sixes.

David Swarbrick accounted for five of Rawtenstall's batsmen as Colne went to the top of the pile. The wicket keeper took four catches and a stumping as Rawtenstall were dismissed for 166, Ben Higgins taking four wickets and Gary Hunt five. Chris Cook-Martin was the top scorer with 53.

Earlier, Mike Smith's 6-65 wasn't enough to prevent Colne reaching 215-9, Higgins making 83 and captain Gary Laycock 43.

Enfield recorded a good win away to Ramsbottom, despite home professional Jason Arnberger getting off to a blistering start with 107.

But Enfield's Hassan Adnan (77) and Liam Jackson (74) had an excellent opening partnership to set Enfield on course for victory and move up into second place in the table.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Clare was in sparkling form for Burnley. The teenager took a nine-wicket haul as they thrashed Church at Turf Moor.