ANY of the spectators who left Lanehead early on Saturday missed one of the comebacks of the season.

Church skipper Phil Sykes said a number of the club's supporters left with Bacup on 106-1, with 19 overs left, chasing 138-9 in their Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League clash.

But enter Andrew Bentley who took 6-57 as leaders Church celebrated what was a huge five run win over one of their title contenders.

"We saw a few leave obviously disappointed and muttering under their breath and they obviously thought that was it," said the captain.

"But we have been on the receiving end of these turnarounds enough times to know a couple of wickets can quickly change the game in Lancashire League cricket - especially on the Bacup wicket where it was difficult to score runs.

"And it happened. We had spotted one man leaving and we made sure we telephoned him from the changing rooms to tell him he shouldn't have doubted us and that we had won."

Leaders Church needed a double win weekend to keep up their title bid. Pro Ruven Peiris had made 53 earlier on and became the first player to make 1000 league runs this season. Sam Tucker (31) and Sykes (23) chipped in.

At 106-1, Bacup looked to be in charge but the last nine wickets feel for just 27 runs thanks to Bentley and Nick Westwell's 3-37 - and a magnificent stop and throw from Peiris which resulted in the last man being run out when they needed just six.

"We did think it was a good enough score on that wicket but at 106-1 with 19 overs left, we were struggling. We got a couple of wickets and that was that.

"Bacup have done that to us a few times so it was nice for it to happen to them for a change," said Sykes.

It was a much-needed 12 points for Church especially as nearest rivals Haslingden also won.

And then Church needed to turn on the style again against local rivals Rishton on Sunday. Sri Lankan Peiris did just that with an unbeaten 136 - which included 16 fours and two sixes - in their 244-8.

Sykes hit 55 in their 129-run opening partnship and now he has 54 half centuries in his career- equalling Jimmy Haworth's record set in 1924-60. Sykes's record was set at Rishton and Church while Haworth's was at Church only. But there was some pleasure for Rishton with wicketkeeper Nick Payne having a collection for five victims - two catches and three stumpings.

Rishton's sub pro Tushar Arothe had taken 4-72 and then the Indian hit a quick fire 80 with nine fours and three sixes to make sure the nerves were still jangling at Blackburn Road.

Rishton were 110-1 when Arothe was dismissed with a one handed catch by Peiris and Bentley took 4-62 and Westwell 4-59 in the 68-run win.

"I did think we could have got a bigger score," continued Sykes. "Ruven's was a tremendous knock. They hit 80 off 60 balls so we were under pressure at 120-2.

"But once we got their pro out we managed to peg them back."

And the news filtered through that Haslingden had lost to Rawtenstall.

"I have got to say we were pleased to hear that," added Sykes, which sets up a tense finale to the season.

Rishton's sub pro Arothe had starred the day before in their 60-run win over Colne. He smashed 51 although he was upstaged with the bat by teenager Shaun Wyse enjoyed a career-best 75 - with three boundaries and three sixes - in their 213-8.

After Colne's sub pro Clinton Perrin - the former Rishton paid man - had been run out, Arothe then took eight wickets as they were bowled out for 153.

Enfield's Alviro Petersen continued his good form with the bat with 80 as his side chased Lowerhouse's 176-7 on Saturday.

But House pro Peter Fulton took 7-63 and it was a nailbiting finish with Enfield needing four off the last over with two wickets left. They got three to draw but then Imran Abid and David Bracewell were both run out to make it a tie.

But it was a mixed weekend for them as they lost to Accrington in their local derby on Sunday.

Tama Canning took his wicket tally to 55 for the season as he took 6-45 as Enfield slipped to the loss. Accrington didn't start off too well but Graeme Sneddon (29) and Stuart Crabtree (27) helped in their 147-8.

Petersen hit 33 and Adam Bracewell celebrated a half century but they fell well short.

The day before Accrington had come off worse against bottom club Burnley in a tight seven run win. Burnley made 173 with Sneddon taking 3-36. Canning fell cheaply (eight) but Mohsin Ahmed (62) took the score along. They needed nine off the last over but Ahmed fell and Burnley kept it tight.

  • TAMA Canning will say goodbye to Accrington after Saturday's game at home to Lowerhouse as he flies out to link up with the New Zealand A squad. Accrington have called on sub pro Mamood Hahmid, a right hand bat and opening spin bowler, from the Bradford League. The Indian is booked in for Sunday against East Lancs and next weekend.

For the final game of the season, against Haslingden, they have Indian Nadeem Khan, a left arm spin and middle order batsman, from the Durham League.