A fifth win on the spin for East Lancs saw them take a grip on third.

Their game at Colne marked the return of pace ace Anwar Ali.

But the Pakistan star, whose arrival was delayed by a training camp, had a miserable day bowling 17 wicket-less overs and going for 91 in the process and the East Lancs batting shone in the sun.

John Turner top scored with 67, sub pro Nathan Rimmington made 45 and Mini Bhada hit 41 as they racked up 251-8.

All eight wickets were claimed by John Lambert as he enjoyed a career-best day.

A hamstring injury to Rimmington hampered East Lancs but Mark Bolton and Paul Kelly each claimed three wickets as Colne were all out for 159 despite 68 from new Colne captain Matt Wilson.

East Lancashire innings

DJ Pearson b Lambert 36
M Bhada st Tillotson b Lambert 41
MC Lomas b Lambert 0
JPA Turner b Lambert 67
PI Bolton c Tillotson b Lambert 2
Rimmington c Procter b Lambert 45
PB Kelly c Wilson b Lambert 26
MJ Bolton b Lambert 0
D Chester not out 1
NJ Turner not out 1
Extras 32
Total (8 wickets) 251
Ali 17 0 91 0, Ellis 13 3 47 0, Lambert 19 3 94 8, Hunt 1 0 4 0.

Colne innings

L Rimmer lbw b Rimmington 9
JS Ellis c Lomas b NJ Turner 29
MJ Wilson c Chester b MJ Bolton 68
Ali c Pearson b NJ Turner 7
RJ Procter c PI Bolton b MJ Bolton 16
S Tillotson c and b Kelly 5
GB Hunt c Lomas b MJ Bolton 5
EM Walker b Kelly 0
M Constable not out 2
J Lambert c Rimmington b Kelly 5
R Duerden b Chester 0
Extras 13
Total (10 wickets) 159
Rimmington 5 0 43 1, NJ Turner 9 0 42 2, MJ Bolton 13 2 38 3, Kelly 10 2 26 3 Chester 1.4 0 2 1.

East Lancashire won by 92 runs. Colne 0, East Lancashire 12,