THREE of Hyndburn’s Lancashire League sides finished in the top six despite all losing their final game of the season last Sunday.
Enfield were destined to finish in third place before suffering a one-wicket defeat at Burnley.
Church and Accrington both had a chance to come fourth but that honour went to Haslingden after their 28-run win at Thorneyholme Road.
The five points Accy garnered from that game were enough to stave off Nelson, though, and clinch sixth place, with Church two points above them in fifth.
Another defeat for Rishton, beaten by 126 runs at Todmorden, made it a miserable weekend for the local sides and saw them finish second-bottom.
Captain Adam Bracewell had hit 44 as ENFIELD were bowled out for 147, but Burnley edged over the line despite the best efforts of Ben Dowling (4-46) and Hassan Fazal (4-65).
Rawtenstall beat CHURCH by five wickets after the visitors made 162/9 from their 50 overs, captain Craig Fergusson finishing unbeaten on 59.
Church professional Usman Tariq hindered the hosts by taking 3-46 but Rawtenstall got home in the 40th over, Dean Barlow hitting 60.
ACCRINGTON bowled Haslingden out for 138, with Jimmy Hayhurst, Simon Hanson and pro Ockert Erasmus all taking three wickets apiece.
But last year’s champions slumped to 45/8 before Matt Wilson finally offered some resistance. His 45 was comfortably their highest score, with Hayhurst the only other man to reach double figures as he was left unbeaten on 14 as Accy were bowled out for 110 in the 27th over.
Todmorden made an imposing 264/7 at home to RISHTON, with sub-pro Liam Livingstone hitting 150 off 131 balls.
Mo Patel then made 52 for the visitors but had little support as they were 138 all out in the 41st over.
Erasmus finished as this season’s second-highest run scorer with 977, four behind Todmorden pro Michael Neser, although he averaged 89.18 compared to Erasmus’ 61.06.
Tariq was third with 930 at 54.70 and his fellow Church opener, Levi Wolfenden, was the leading local amateur with 774 at 35.18.
Erasmus was also the third highest wicket taker with 70, with Church’s Andrew Bentley the leading local amateur bowler – and fifth overall - with 66.
MATTHEW JONES’ HYNDBURN TEAM OF THE YEAR: LEVI WOLFENDEN (CHURCH), LIAM BEDFORD (ENFIELD), USMAN TARIQ (CHURCH), SIMON HANSON (ACC), ADAM BRACEWELL (ENFIELD), CRAIG FERGUSSON (CHURCH), LLOYD ASPIN (CHURCH), TIARNAN HAMILL (ENFIELD), ALI SARTAJ (RISHTON), HASSAN FAZAL (ENFIELD), ANDREW BENTLEY (CHURCH).
