THE 2004 cricket season was certainly one to remember for Church.

It was a nail-biting finale with them, Haslingden and Ramsbottom all vying for the Musbury Fabrics Lancashire League title on the final day of the season.

But the heavens opened, and Church had to settle for the Hollands Cup and second spot - still a remarkable achievement and their best finish since 1962.

"There has been more thick than thin in recent years but it is a credit to everybody," said skipper Phil Sykes.

It was a real team effort with Sri Lankan pro Ruven Peiris breaking the club record of league runs - which was 1250 in 1990 - by amassing 1277 runs.

Nick Westwell and Andy Bentley both chipped in with the wickets while Mark Aspin and Sykes scored some valuable runs.

Yet it had looked like it would be Accrington's season at the start as they, with New Zealand pro Tama Canning, making the rest of the league take notice as they charged to the top with their three opening wins. Church, meanwhile, were languishing at the bottom with one point. But things soon changed.

The Blackburn Road side suddenly put a good run together and slowly crept up the league.

While they were doing that, Enfield were having a poor campaign not helped by the late arrival of their South African pro Alviro Petersen.

But he made the Worsley Cup his own as he smashed 149 to see off Accrington in the first round followed by an unbeaten 99 in the quarter-finals against East Lancs.

Then came their epic semi-final against Lowerhouse which had all the spectators on the edge of their seats.

Petersen hit 148 in their 310-8 and it seemed too much for Lowerhouse at 91-3 but, with the penultimate ball and after a ton knock by Chris Bleazard, they by-passed the score.

"It was soul-destroying," said skipper Mas Ahmed, with the Liverpool Road side going on to lift the trophy.

Petersen, as well as his cup exploits, finished the season on 1058 league runs and they have snapped him up for next season.

And Rishton were hitting the headlines after their pro James Franklin secured a late call-up to the New Zealand squad for the Test against England and starred, earning him a county call to Gloucestershire.

Rishton got compensation - but they lost the in-form player and then had to depend on sub-pros for the rest of the season.

As the season settled down, Enfield, Rishton and Accrington occupied three of the bottom four spots - propped up by Burnley.

There was one lighter moment for Rishton although Sam Hacking's dad wouldn't have been too happy. His son smashed a six through his dad's classic car window in their win over Lowerhouse.

And Accrington's Canning enjoyed a New Zealand A call-up after smashing an unbeaten 151 against Colne in mid-August.

But the main focus was on the exciting title race.

Church moved to the top for the first time in July with a seven point gap with bowler Nick Westwell admitting: "I will enjoy looking at the table tonight."

It stretched to 18 as Church had played a game more but Mark Aspin was staying calm: "We haven't won anything yet."

They slipped up against Nelson and down to third and then, it was back to the top with a win over Accrington. Westwell took his tally to 55 wickets. "We are just enjoying it," he said.

A double win weekend got them back on top - including an epic fightback against Bacup where the Lanehead side were 106-1 chasing 138-9 with 19 overs left but step forward Andrew Bentley who took 6-57.

Then Haslingden played their game in hand - against Todmorden and there was chaos as Tod reversed their order, Haslingden won and went to the top by three points.

Church beat Lowerhouse but didn't take their bonus points and so the gap was five points going into the last game.

The rain came down though and, despite the best efforts of the Blackburn Road groundstaff, the table stayed with Haslingden on top and Church in the runners-up slot.

Accrington finished in 11th place, Rishton 12th and Enfield 13th.

ACCRINGTON have offered Canning new terms for next summer although they are waiting to hear. Peiris and Petersen have re-signed for Church and Enfield respectively while Rishton's new paid man is Sri Lankan Kumar Dharmasena.