A SUPERB stand of 179 from pro Joe Scuderi and teammate Lincoln Marshall helped NELSON to victory over LOWERHOUSE.

Neither player managed a century with Marshall going first on 89 off the bowling of Matt Hope.

Scuderi was then disapppointingly run out - just seven off his 100 - after partner Jon Finch called for the run and then changed his mind.

An unbeaten 33 from Jonathan Finch and an unbeaten 19 from Danny Kegg contributed to the side's 264, which Lowerhouse found impossible to reach.

The visitors were never in the hunt as, after a slow start, they were never near the run rate.

Nick Hope went for just 13 and Frank Entwistle managed 11.

Stuart Lemon took three wickets, including that of the pro Jaques Rudolph, who scored just eight.

Danny Kegg also took three wickets, including that of Chris Bleazard, who had threatened to make inroads on the target with a half-century.

But a lower order collapse made sure the visitors came to within only 100 runs of the home side.

DARWEN pro Keith Semple stepped in for the injured Ian Austin but couldn't inspire HASLINGDEN to victory over RISHTON.

Peter Sleep was the main stayer for the away side, he stayed in for 30 overs as the wickets tumbled around him.

His wicket was one of six for Tommy Read, who ripped through the middle order and the tail end, but his failure to get the last man out allowed Rishton to thrash their way to 161, Andy Clarkson hitting three late fours in his 18.

In a tense and exciting finish Haslingden, needing nine off the last over, fell short by just four runs.

Semple batted well for 62 but he was caught out as he tried to salvage the run rate.