RUMOURS of Rishton's decline have been greatly exaggerated.

This was the defiant message reverberating around Blackburn Road after leaders Lowerhouse were toppled and overhauled by the defending Lancashire League champions.

Systematic might be too strong a word to describe the manner in which Rishton inflicted a third defeat of the campaign on a team who have become accustomed to setting the early-season pace.

But there was an ominous likelihood about a home-team victory from the moment Allan Donald dismissed Lowerhouse professional Shawn Flegler for 10 in the seventh over.

And when the unyielding Chris Bleazard finally succumbed in the 37th over following an heroic one-man stand of 60, it was just about inevitable that Rishton would storm to the summit of the table.

Some watchers might have wondered if Rishton's supposedly brittle batting line-up would make difficult the task of reaching what was a decidedly unimposing target.

But, patiently and prudently, captain John Wharton and the experienced Craig Smith whittled away the deficit until some slightly more ambitious strokes resulted in Smith's removal and Wharton scoring the winning runs with a boundary.

And while Wharton was sensibly unconcerned with presuming this will be the start of Rishton's irrevocable march towards the title in the post-match analysis, he was quick to rebuke those who had previously written off his team's chances.

"The majority of outsiders feel we haven't as good a team this year," he said.

"And that may or may not be the case - it's difficult to compare.

"But writing us off early in the season was foolish.

"Batting was a sticking point for us but we are beginning to get that part of our game together.

"I don't think we need as many runs as last year because of the present structure of our side - a pro who can take wickets and amateur bowlers who can more than adequately do the same.

"But we still have to get the runs and today we did - that's very pleasing."

Pleasing as well must be the variation Donald has introduced to his game to adapt to conditions in the Lancashire League.

He has adopted a shorter run-up, bowls shorter balls and mixes slower ones with the howitzers.

"I think my yorker has come on well too," he said after removing the facial warpaint that makes him resemble a rampaging Red Indian.

"I've had to think about my game because the standard here is pretty good - I didn't think it would be as difficult."

Lowerhouse were aware of the difficulties they faced from the second over when John Seedle bowled Nick Holt.

Their situation became more worrying when Flegler followed five overs later.

While most of his team-mates seemed stranded in a blizzard, Chris Bleazard stoically occupied the crease, firing eight fours and one six, one more boundary than the combined effort of the rest of the team.

When his resistance finally gave way the remaining tailenders crumbled.

Flegler's diving catch to remove opener Neil Wells was the only highlight Lowerhouse enjoyed in the field.

Wharton, with six fours and one six, carried his bat and not even Smith's dismissal or the unnecessary run out of Andrew Bartley threatened to knock Rishton out of their stride.

"We just didn't perform," reflected Flegler. "It will hopefully be a different story when we meet them at our place next week."

On this form, it might require quite a performance to prevent Rishton retaining their title.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.