CRICKET: WHILE one Hyndburn side is looking at the top end of the table, two are battling to avoid the wooden spoon position.
League leaders Rishton are ready to go all the way after opening up a 25 point gap at the top of the table with most teams having eight games to play.
But Accrington and Church are at the wrong end of the table and face a huge game on Sunday as the two clash in a local derby - which now has added spice.
"We do not want to finish bottom, no one wants to," said Accrington bowler David Ormerod, who took over the captaincy from Matt Wilson mid-season. "We have got to play teams close to us and, after pushing Rishton close the other week, we fear nobody.
"We know we can beat any team in the league and I suppose the fact both Church and Accrington are in the bottom two, adds extra interest to Sunday's game.
"We go into it on the back of a good win against Todmorden and, it is like anything, winning is a habit and so is losing.
"We hope to get into the winning habit and move up the league and the lads are confident after last weekend."
It was only Accrington's third win of the season - with two under Ormerod - and two good results in this weekend's double header could see them move off the bottom.
It was though a nail-biting clash with Todmorden. Thorneyholme Road paid man Nishit Shetty made 66 in their 154 all out with teenager Toby Bulcock (36) and Mick Horsfield (18) chipping in.
Then Ormerod and Damian Clarke took four wickets each to keep it tight and they managed to see off Tod with just a nervy two runs to spare.
"It did get a bit too close for comfort but we were really chuffed with the win," said the 38-year-old.
"Some of the young guys still don't know how to finish a game off but we have got the confidence now to know we can win games. It will take time and we are looking to next season but, with eight games left, we can make changes this season.
"I am happy with what has happened since I have taken over but there are still a few things to work on.
"We are not fielding as well as we can and we are giving away wickets cheaply but it is getting better."
While Ormerod is focusing on his own battle, he thinks Rishton should be able to stay the pace and win the title.
"It is down to their nerves now and how the younger players cope," said the Accrington skipper. "They have been something of a surprise package this season but they have got a great pro in Saeed Anwar Junior and Andy Bartley has got them gelling.
"What has really impressed me is their fielding. I think their fielding has got them where they are."
Despite being part of the Bacup side which won a hat-trick of titles from 2000-2002, the bowler says he will be happy to see Rishton win the top prize in the Lancashire League.
"I guess it is mixed feelings with them being a rival Hyndburn side," said Ormerod, with Rishton the last Hyndburn winners in 1996.
"But I would rather Rishton won it to break the monopoly of the Rossendale sides who have won a lot of titles over the last seven years.
"It also adds interest in the league as, when we played them, we got a decent crowd. It keeps everything interesting."
RISHTON are showing no signs of the strain so far after they stayed calm to secure a 12-run win against Bacup.
There is still a tough run for them as there are double headers almost every weekend until the season finishes on September 9.
But Shaun Wyse starred with the bat making an unbeaten 75 in their 149-7.
Bacup were in a strong position in the chase at 115-1 but Rishton's vice captain Scott Greaves then swept aside the middle and lower order - and took the prize wicket of New Zealand professional Chris Harris - to seal another vital win. He finished with 5-15 in his two overs.
ENFIELD must be ruing their loss of form as they have slid down the table and out of title contention.
They used six different bowlers against 13th placed Nelson but had no real luck as the Seedhill side made 194.
Sam Reidy made 45 and Craig Fergusson 24 but they were the only ones to get into double figures as they finished 71 runs short - and slipped to 10th place in the league.
And Church fell back into the bottom two after defeat by Colne.
Run machine Greg Mail came back to haunt his old club with an opening 79 in their 197-4.
Church openers Ruvin Peiris (46) and Sagawat Hussain (45) started what looked like a strong reply but Church then collapsed and, apart from 29 from Nasser Hussain, it was all over.
