Accrington snatched victory from the jaws of defeat according to bowler Jimmy Hayhurst, as they scraped to a 19-run  victory over Burnley in one of only two Foster’s Lancashire League matches played on Saturday.

Accrington managed to reach 170-7 from their 32 overs, with professional Ashar Zaidi smashing 84 from 80 deliveries, and captain Graham Lloyd chipping in with a quickfire 25, but rain saw Burnley’s target reduced to 144.

However, six wickets from David Ormerod, and the crucial run out of Qasim Ali for 56 restricted Burnley to just 125, and sealed Accrington’s ninth consecutive win.

But Hayhurst said that Accrington were fortunate to come away with the  victory.

“The run out was the game changer really. Burnley were playing really well up until that point, but I think getting Ali out was critical. It really turned the game in our favour and luckily we stumbled over the line.”

He was also quick to insist that team effort, not individual brilliance, is responsible for the side’s current good form.

“I think our run at the minute is a result of everybody coming together,” he added. “Yes, we are all producing little bits here and there, but it is the work of the team as a whole that has got us where we are.

“I remember when we couldn’t string two wins together, and we were a really poor team.

“But I think we are all a little bit more savvy when it comes to winning, and it’s great to be putting a few results on the board.”

Accrington are currently in a rich vein of form and have won nine games on the bounce, setting a club record in the process.

Elsewhere there were postponements across the league as no fewer than 12 matches fell victim to the weather.

Enfield’s two games against Bacup and Todmorden were both called off, as were Church’s fixtures against Haslingden and Accrington. 

Rishton were also forced to postpone their fixtures against Rawtenstall and East Lancashire, an outcome that frustrated captain Shaun Hutchinson.

He said: “I’m gutted it was called off if I’m honest. We all wanted to keep the momentum going after the win against Church last week, so it’s not ideal really.”

Despite the washout, Hutchinson was keen to look ahead to the club’s two crucial games next week, against Nelson and Accrington.

“Our preparation won’t change. We will still be in the nets this week and hopefully we won’t have been disrupted too much,” he said.

“I think it’s important to take positives from the first match (Nelson) into the second, even if we don’t manage a result, because Accrington are in form and will be very tough to beat.

“So will Nelson, for that matter.”

The Rishton skipper did, however, concede that they’ll have a few players missing going into the weekend’s double-header.

“We will just have to see who is available on Thursday and take it from there really, that’s all we can do.” he added.

The Worsley?Cup gets under way on?Sunday and the draw sees Church travel to Colne and Enfield visit Lowerhouse. Rishton, meanwhile, will host Accrington.

n Houldsworth Ribblesdale League side Great Harwood progressed to the quarter-finals of the Ramsbottom?Cup after a marathon bowl-off against Whalley.

They eventually won 3-2 after the 14th round thanks to Jason Kayley (2) and Tiaan Cloete.

The previous day Patrick Swanney hit a maiden home half-century as the 2012 Ribblesdale Twenty20 champions’ improvement continued with a seven-wicket success against Cherry Tree.

Stuart Maher took 5-40 as Cherry Tree were limited to a total of 101-6 and with?Russell Whalley contributing 30 and Swanney unbeaten on 54 they reached 102-3 with little trouble.