Levi Wolfenden was the Church hero on Saturday as the West End side continued their charge for the Foster’s Lancashire League title.
Rawtenstall made 192-9 in their 50 overs with opener Vinny Hanson making 29 but top scorer was their pro Jandre Coetsee with 69 in 65 balls before he became one of Andy Bentley’s four victims.
Church openers Wolfenden and Craig Fergusson were in no mood for messing though and they put on 172 for the first wicket.
Wolfenden finished with a best of 117, including seven sixes and six boundaries, before he was out but Fergusson helped them over the line with ease with his unbeaten 52.
They got home with nine wickets and more than 15 overs to spare to stay in third spot in the league, chasing unbeaten leaders Lowerhouse.
Second-placed Enfield were always in charge on Saturday, chasing Colne’s 111 all out.
Colne struggled against the bowling attack of Werner Coetsee, who finished with tremendous figures of 6-15 to take him to over 50 wickets for the season, while Hassan Fazal took 3-51.
Although Church were 49-3 at one stage with captain Adam Bracewell (six) and Coetsee (three) having a rare off-day with the bat, Nasser Hussain’s 36 and Craig Maudsley’s unbeaten 22 guided them to a five-wicket win as they too keep the pressure on the leaders.
Nelson against Rishton and Accrington against East Lancs started but both will need to be replayed on September 1.
n NO Hyndburn teams were able to finish their derby matches on Sunday and these will be replayed on September 8.
Church will be disappointed as they had Enfield bowled out for 81 at Blackburn Road – and that was including a whopping 35 extras – with Bentley again in the wickets, taking 5-47.
Church were 1-0 when the clash was rained off.
Rishton were 88-8 with 40 overs gone when the heavens opened at Accrington.
Captain Jimmy Bibby made 33 and Luke McVarish 28 while Thorneyholme pro Ashar Zaidi took 4-35 before it was back to the pavilion.
The only game to survive the wet conditions saw Haslingden beat East Lancs.
