Accrington captain Jimmy Hayhurst admitted he would have taken runners-up spot at the start of the season – but now he wishes his side had taken the title battle to the final game of the campaign.



It was all set up for a winner-takes-all final day of the season showdown at Lowerhouse for Accrington until the Burnley side clinched the title on Sunday with victory over Todmorden.



Accrington had kept the pressure on them but Charlie Cottam’s team have had a consistent campaign and secured the title for only the second time in the club’s history.



While Hayhurst has been pleased with a solid season for the Thorneyholme Roaders, there is a tinge of regret.



“It would have been a grandstand finish, a winner-takes-all clash on Sunday and that’s what we were hoping,” said Hayhurst.



“It would have been great to take it to the final game; it was all set up to be honest and I don’t think either side expected to be up there at the start of the season.



“It’s always the aim to just finish as high as you can but I don’t think we thought we could win the league as a couple of players retired last season.



“But halfway through the season we suddenly looked at it, saw ourselves up there and have just kept going and we want to make sure we get the runners-up spot with a win tomorrow.



“I think the games which probably cost us the chance of winning the league was our game being off at Bacup when everyone else played early in the season and a double loss weekend a couple of weekends ago.



“I have got to say though, I think Lowerhouse deserved the title. We did beat them but they are a good young side, they haven’t lost many and all credit to them.



“They only lost four league games all season and, when we won the title in 2009, we had lost eight or nine.



“We do though hope we can upstage them in the celebration ranks – we want to make sure, if we finish runners-up, we celebrate winning the Hollands Cup better than they do at winning the title on Sunday!”



Accrington face Burnley tomorrow but will be without pro Ashar Zaidi who is getting married.



“We knew about this date and had it cleared by the league committee at the start of the season,” said Hayhurst.



And the captain admitted that Zaidi, re-signed for next season, will be slightly disappointed at missing the clash as he is on 997 runs and is desperate to crack the 1,000 barrier.



“Ash has been fantastic this season and he is already planning how we can improve next season and things we can do over the winter as he is based in Manchester.



“But he does want to get to 1,000 runs and was mad at himself getting out just three runs short on Sunday.”



That was in their win over Bacup. All the Hyndburn side’s games fell victim to the weather on Saturday, meaning Lowerhouse needed seven points for the title on Sunday – which they got.



¿But Accrington kept their bid to secure second spot up with a five wicket win.



 David Ormerod took 5-57 to pass 50 wickets for the season as Bacup were bowled out for 129.  Zaidi also picked up 3-47 to take his wicket tally to 65 for the campaign.



Accrington were in deep trouble at 52-5 and desperate for that win but veteran batsman Graham Lloyd is the man to keep a calm head in the face of pressure and his unbeaten 39 – and a sixth wicket stand of 78 with Mitch Taylor – almost secured Accrington the runners-up spot.



While Zaidi is aiming for 1,000 runs, Church pro Saeed Anwar is there.



In the six league games since Church lost the Worsley Cup final to Ramsbottom, the pro has racked up 424 runs with a season high 158 in their 109 run victory over  East Lancs on Sunday. Nasser Hussain (36) and skipper Craig Fergusson (20). also chipped in as Church made 269-9.  Bentley and Anwar took two wickets each as East


Lancs made 160-5.



Fourth-placed Church will be hoping to hold off the challenge of Todmorden – who have a game in hand over them tomorrow – when they take on Burnley in their final game on Sunday.



Meanwhile Enfield professional Werner Coetsee will be welcomed back with open arms next season after a solid first campaign for the Dill Hall Laners. He has been consistent with the bat and ball with 751 runs and 79 wickets.



And he showed his all-round skills on Sunday with an unbeaten 43 and then four wickets in Enfield’s comfortable eight wicket win at Rawtenstall. The South African took 4-19 and Zahir Afzal 4-23 as Rawtenstall were bowled out for 97.



Coetsee had strong support from Ash Gowers (22) and skipper Adam Bracewell (12 not out) as Enfield held on to sixth place – and aim to stay there.


 Rishton have two games left to make sure they don’t finish bottom after a rare draw at Burnley on Sunday.



Turf Moor pro Imad Wasim was in strong form taking 8-40 but Abdul Bisoodwall scored 38, Shaun Wyse 19 and Luke McVarish 14 as Rishton were 132 all out.



Burnley looked comfortable at 94-2 but 17-year-old bowler Ali Sartaj, took 5-42 – to make it 48 wickets in his debut season –  with support from sub pro Chris Holt 3-69 and Garth Wyse 2-16 as Burnley collapsed to 122-9 and couldn’t get the vital run to seal victory in the final bowl.



Rishton will be all out to beat bottom club Colne tomorrow before they face Nelson.