BURNLEY and Colne are joint leaders of the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League after both managed to squeeze in victories on a rain-affected Saturday.

At Turf Moor, Burnley showed how much they have improved from last year's bottom placed finish with their sixth win in eight games, over Ramsbottom.

The home side made 172-5 thanks mainly to the big hitting of Ben Law, who struck six fours and a six on the way to his 70, while fellow opener Chris Burton (43) and skipper Jonathan Harvey (40) provided strong support.

Ramsbottom pro Murlai Kartik wasn't quite up to his usual stingy standards as he went for 45 runs off his 18 overs but the Indian took four wickets.

However, it was his opposite professional Harvey who provided the real inspiration for victory as he took 8-48.

Opposing captain Richard Heving but his side failed to reach their revised target and lost by four runs.

It was also close for Colne, who beat Church by one wicket to join Burnley at the top of the league.

Even pro Ruvin Peiris' individual brilliance, with 90 runs and four wickets, couldn't prevent Church spiralling to a sixth successive defeat.

The rain meant that the eagerly-waited top of the table clash between Haslingden and Lowerhouse at Bentgate ended in anti-climax as both sides had to settle for three points each.

Andrew McDonald returned to haunt Haslingden, who made 148-7 with four wickets then the Aussie pro hit 27 not out as Lowerhouse finished on 62-2.

Young Haslingden wicketkeeper John Simpson was the star of the show as he made 47 not out in 48 balls during his side's innings.

Yet another century by South Afrcian Alviro Petersen gave Enfield a win against Nelson.

He struck 103, which included four sixes and a four in one Danny Kegg over and a total of 16 boundaries, half of which were sixes.

His innings helped Enfield chase a target of 202 for the loss of five wickets after Nelson's pro Nathan Hauritz and fellow overseas player Joe Scuderi both scored over 60 to set the testing total.

Another result was reached at Accrington, but the home side are still looking for their first win of the season after Todmorden defeated them by 22 runs.

Tod captain John Henderson made a half century off just 26 balls as his side reached 130-5 off 30 overs.

Accy's pro Tama Canning tried valiantly to get the runs needed for victory but he was given out lbw to Gyan Pandey on 53 and the chance went.

After an interruption in the first innings because of rain the East Lancs versus Rawtenstall match was reduced to 43 overs per innings.

Professional Andrew Payne (61) and Will Cook-Martin (65no) added 97 for the fifth wicket after the visitors were reduced to 35-4. It was Cook-Martin's highest score at senior level.

They finished on 179-6 and East Lancs were 60-1 in the 20th over when the game was abandoned at 6pm.

Bacup await their first league win of the current campaign after their game with Rishton was also a no result.