IT WAS Ian Austin's day for Haslingden at Rishton, scoring 84 runs and taking seven wickets to knock the Blackburn side off the top of the Transco Lancashire League table.

Austin took seven wickets for just eight runs, which was thought to have been the best bowling performance of his career, while Rishton's Usman Janjua claimed six wickets, including that of the Lancashire all-rounder.

However, Rishton failed miserably to make their target of 194 runs, reaching just 84. John Seedle was Rishton's top run-maker with 45. Professional Clinton Perrin was out for one off Austin.

Todmorden had a weekend they would rather forget. After crashing out of the Worsley Cup to a 144-run loss, yesterday didn't get too much better as they were undone by Shaun Young in the league as the Bacup pro inspired take his side to a win that handed them top spot in the table.

Again Tod opener Richard Baigent top scored, this time with 48, but did have more help than on Saturday with David Whitehead (32) and M Clayton (29) helping their total to 146-8.

Todmorden, however, did feel somewhat aggrieved at the lbw decision given against their pro Matthew Nicholson.

The decision went in Bacup's Young favour and he went on to finish with 4-57, supported by David Ormerod on 4-82.

Young then made his mark with the bat, knocking an unbeaten 65, with opener Peter Thompson notching 59 not out to take Bacup comfortably past the target with eight wickets to spare.

A 58-run partnership between Steve Birtwistle and Adam Greenwood rescued Accrington from what looked like a certain collapse at Rawtenstall.

And 42 runs from the partnership of Mus Ahmed and Birtwistle secured a 21-run victory for the visitors. Accrington were 47-5 before Birtwistle turned it round.

Mark Greenhalgh's 47 in 28 balls helped Enfield to an 87-run win over Church, whose professional James Bryant chose not to bowl.

Enfield pro Martin Van Jaarsveld pitched in with 88 runs, and took five wickets.

Bryant scored 93 not out but eventually ran out of partners as Church collapsed, earning no points.

East Lancs surprised all but themselves by coming away from Ramsbottom with a win after reaching 124-9 in the first innings and then proceeding to bowl the home side out for 122.

Richard Cooper's 34 was their best performance with the bat as Ramsbottom's Mark Price took four wickets for just 23 runs. But what should have been an easy win for Ramsbottom turned into a battle when East Lancs's P Kelly turned on the style, taking six wickets for 19 runs.

Claude Henderson made a return to the Lancashire League and helped to record a valuable win for Lowerhouse at home to Nelson.

Last season's East Lancs pro Henderson, now playing in Staffordshire, answered an SOS from the Liverpool Road side as paid man Jon Kent struggles with an injury.

And the South African did the trick enjoying a 100 run fourth wicket partnership with Chris Bleazard which helped Lowerhouse build up a target of 169-6.

Henderson then shone with the ball, taking 4-60 ably supported by Jez Hope who finished with figures of 4-64. Paul Garaghty top scored for Nelson with 33 but they fell 39 runs short.