RISHTON set a new Transco Lancashire League record for the number of runs scored in an innings with a massive 340 against Lowerhouse on Saturday.

They broke the previous record of 319-6 for Rawtenstall against Lowerhouse by 21 runs.

They also set a record for the biggest win margin -- 222 runs.

Sorry Lowerhouse were missing two bowlers -- Jez Hope and Jonathan Russell -- and had Graham Lloyd, who by his own admission is more of a batter than a bowler, as their sub-pro.

Rishton batted first and all was going well until professional Clinton Perren took to the field with his side on 25-2.

He duly smashed his way to 138, which included 21 fours.

Russell Whalley soon joined him at the crease and hit seven fours and eight sixes for a 112 total. He hit the last 50 of his century off an amazing 18 balls.

Lowerhouse looked for a miracle but when Lloyd went for 12 they knew it wasn't going to be their day.

"It was just one of those days," said Lowerhouse captain Matt Hope.

"We tried to switch the bowling round but nothing seemed to work. We dropped Russell Whalley twice before he got to 30 so that didn't help."

Church were also rewriting the record books as the opening pair put on 225 against one-time title hopefuls Todmorden -- a new record stand of any wicket partnership for Church in the history of the Lancashire League.

The Blackburn Road side are languishing at the wrong end of the table but found their form with a brilliant knock of 124 from pro James Bryant with opener Craig Fergusson more than supporting him with 84.

The previous best was a second wicket partnership between former England, Lancashire and Staffordshire player SF Barnes (113no) and J Duckworth (74no) of 209 in 1904. And the best opening stand before Saturday was 193 between between Bill Wilkinson (86) and Gerard Metcalf (126) in August 1979.

Todmorden though will be kicking themselves after dropping Fergusson twice when he was in his 20s and missing a run-out opportunity. Church ended on 256-3 -- a formidable target which was eventually reset at 214 as the overs were reduced because of rain.

Todmorden opener Richard Baigent started them off in the right vein with 72, and paid man Matthew Nicholson made 60. And the visitors were in charge at one point when, at 130-2 with 17 overs left, six runs an over would make the huge target possible.

But then Church bowlers Mark Aspin and Nick Westwell got in on the act and that was it for Todmorden, ending on 183-7 -- 31 runs short.

Nelson professional Wade Wingfield finished the win against Accrington with a bang by hitting a six to clinch his side all 12 points in this battle at the bottom. In what proved to be a close finish the South African scored 17 runs off the last 10 balls.

Luckily for Nelson, the rain stayed away until just after the end of the game. If the heavens had opened two overs earlier, Accrington would have registered a run-rate victory.

Enfield's young all-rounder Liam Jackson sacrificed his wicket for the sake of professional Martin Van Jaarsveld as the Dill Hall Lane club stormed to a total of 247 against Colne.

Van Jaarsveld had just surpassed 30 runs when he pushed the ball into a gap and went for the run, leaving Jackson stranded. Jackson set off in return despite knowing almost for certain he would be out.

The South African pro went on to make 89, including 14 fours. Jackson did his bit with the ball too, taking 4-62. Colne failed to reach their reduced target of 199, their pro Marcus North scoring 52, with four fours and a six.

Leaders Bacup were restricted to just three points in their pursuit of the title when rain forced the abandonment of their game against Haslingden. However, the visitors might feel hard done by after reaching a useful 86-2 after 26 overs with Mark Griffin unbeaten on 37.

Only 26 overs were possible at Acre Bottom as well, where Ramsbottom reached 92-2 against Rawtenstall. Pro Brad Hodge was left stranded on 47 when the rain came.

And, at Burnley, title-chasing East Lancs also lost the chance of vital points through rain.

They had a steady innings with Paul Kelly (41), Phil Mercer (38), Andy Clague (21) and Paul Turner (20) all contributing to their total of172 all out.

Burnley pro Dale Benkenstein took 4-73 while the bowling of David Brown was more limiting with 4-27.

East Lancs sub pro Jon Louw, the paid man at Central Lancs side Heywood who is standing in as Brad Young has returned home, took the two wickets in Burnley's innings before rain halted proceedings.

Benkenstein was on 40 not out, taking Burnley to 76-2 before the spoils were shared.