CHURCH took over from Rawtenstall at the top of the Foster’s Lancashire League as Nelson threw a massive spanner in Rocky’s works on a spectacular afternoon at Seedhill.

As Church were brushing aside Bacup at Lanehead, previous leaders Rawtenstall were stunned at Seedhill as they collapsed to just 45 all out.

Lewis Bradley made 29 and in-form skipper Neil Thompson 27 as Nelson batted first, while Harrison Phelan’s late 29 and an enterprising 12 from veteran Michael Bradley helped Nelson post 153 all out.

Rawtenstall conceded 30 extras including 24 wides, while two run outs in the final over game them their two bonus points with veteran Keith Roscoe claiming four wickets to add to his ever increasing tally.

The Rocky reply was a disaster from the start as they slipped to 15-4 and it barely got any better as they crashed to 45 all out in 22.1 overs.

Only Brett Pelser (11) and Elliot Hussey (13) made double figures with Neil Thompson claiming 4-8 from eight overs and Toxy Hussain 3-6 as the Seedhillites claimed a fourth successive win.

Church beat Bacup by nine wickets at Lanehead. Henry Butcher’s 50 helped Bacup to 139 all out as their tail failed to wag once again.

A rain storm caused a brief delay and reduced the Church target to 120 in 39 overs and Levi Wolfenden’s 60 ensured smooth progress to the summit.

Unluckiest batsman of the day was Ramsbottom's Tom Parton, who made a quite magnifcent 129 as his side piled up 254-2 from 50 overs.

Parton hit two sixes and 13 fours in the highest amateur score of the season to date but he and his team-mates had to settle for three points as a thunderstorm meant the match was abandoned.

Accrington piled on the misery for winless Burnley as they claimed a five-wicket win at Thorneyholme Road as they chased down 163 in the final over. Burnley have now lost eight of their nine league games with one abandonment, while Accrington hit 63 points, 19 behind the leaders as they look to defend their crown.

Brenton Parchment made 102 not out as Haslingden piled up 220-8 against East Lancashire with the visitors bowled out 38 runs short.

And Lowerhouse were impressive winners over Enfield as their tail enders stepped up to the plate.

The House were on the ropes at 54-8 but Declan Bailey made a maiden half century and Chris Bleazard - batting at number 10 – hit 35 as they got up to 144 all out with Werner Coetsee claiming 6-32 from 17 overs.

Enfield needed a big contribution but that was never forthcoming with Adam Bracewell’s 29 the top score and with Cobus Pienaar claiming 4-34 they slipped to 117 all out.

Ali Sartaj claimed four wickets and Garth Wyse three as Colne were bowled out for 156 at Rishton. It looked like Colne were going to claim a second win of the season when Rishton went into the final over with nine wickets down.

But they got over the line to leave the Horsfielders flat.