SKIPPER Phil Sykes paid tribute to his players, the people behind the scenes and the fans as Church lifted their first piece of silverware since 1974.

It wasn't the championship trophy they wanted on a tense final day but nevertheless the second placed Holland Cup was enough to make their "Carwash" night at the club - hosted by wicketkeeper Sam Tucker - more than enjoyable.

A tense final day was eventually wiped out by the weather and while Haslingden clinched the championship, Church enjoyed their best finish since 1962 when they last won the league - and 1974 was the last time they lifted a cup - the Worsley Cup.

"I am delighted," said the skipper. "A lot of people have put in time and effort behind the scenes and followed the club through thick and thin - unfortunately there has been more thin than thick but they were happy enough on Sunday night.

"They have put so much time in over the years and it is nice to have some silverware. When you consider some of the sides who we have finished in front of, there are a lot of good sides there, it is credit to everybody."

Sri Lankan pro Ruvin Peiris broke the club batting record while Sykes and Mark Aspin chalked up more than 600 runs each and Nick Westwell took a career-best 68 wickets with Andy Bentley agonisingly finishing two short of his 50.

"There have probably been five or six really good performances from the amatuers but what has been good is that the people who perhaps haven't played regularly have chipped in when they have been asked to," continued Sykes. "They have got a vital 20 or taken a vital wicket. There have been some match-winning performances and it is down to everyone at the club why we have been so successful.

"Ruvin has been like a breath of fresh air. He is a professional who is so keen and enthusiastic and would practise everyday if someone wanted him to."

It was tense on Sunday with mobile phones ringing, people were huddled around radios and everyone was glued to the action as Church made their final bid for the Lancashire League crown.

The league officials couldn't have wanted a more dramatic end to the season as the title could still go one of three ways with leaders Haslingden, second placed Church and Ramsbottom in contention - and the drizzling rain meant it was a lottery.

Haslingden, with a five point gap at the top, had borrowed Central Lancashire League side's Radcliffe covers to make sure their home clash with Accrington went ahead. Third placed Ramsbottom were at Lowerhouse and the Church players and groundstaff, facing Rawtenstall, worked on the wicket for days before to make sure they did everything they could to battle the blustery conditions.

Once Ramsbottom's game got underway a buzz went around the ground as a victory for them and no play elsewhere would leave them joint top with Haslingden.

That meant the other games had to start with Church desperate not to slip out of the top two.

Haslingden were thwarted by the weather at 50-2 and their match was then halted for more than three hours as they paced up and down waiting for news from elsewhere.

Church, meanwhile, in a reduced 35-over game, got on with it as their opponents Rawtenstall also wanted to play as they could still clinch the second spot themselves.

It definitely wasn't the weather for cricket with plenty of coffee, umbrella's and jumpers and coats.

But it didn't prevent a good game with Keith Roscoe's side making a quick-fire start as they tried to build up a battling target with Andy Payne (29) and Vinny Hanson (31) doing well in their 137-8.

But it was the bowlers who did the damage with Nick Westwell continuing his brilliant season with 5-66 and pro Ruvin Peiris - said to be being watched by Sri Lankan scouts - got the other three and so it was up to Church to battle back.

It was agony having to take tea as play was still on and off elsewhere and the dark clouds were ominously hanging over head.

The tension mounted with one person from Haslingden relaying events back to Bentgate and Radio Lancashire kept most people informed of Ramsbottom's progress as they had amassed 175-8.

Peiris and Sykes came out to open and there were a few hair-raising moments as Rawtenstall appealed for their scalps. But, at 23 and with just eight overs gone, the worst thing happened, the heavens opened and play was suspended.

News came through that Haslingden had restarted and had finished 144-9 in 26 overs - although they had gone off again and Accrington did never get the chance to bat - and that Lowerhouse were struggling against Ramsbottom.

Calculations were being made about how many overs had been lost and what the revised score would be - as the supporters went from panic, to hope, to resignation and then back to the thought that it might just be Church's day. However, hours passed and there was no sign of the rain abating.

Sykes finally went to the umpires just before their time ran out at 7.10pm. He was hoping that, even if they only got eight overs in, with big-hitting Peiris at the crease they could knock off the score quickly - at least it was worth a chance.

And then the umpires went back out to have the final inspection of the wicket.

This caused panic at Haslingden who had already had their game officially called off minutes before and, at Lowerhouse, where the scorers had packed up and gone home so obviously no play there.

Everyone scurried out into the middle, the roller came out and then - deflation - another cloud burst and Sykes shook hands with his Rawtenstall counterpart and it was all over.

Title hopes gone - but still a brilliant season for Church and now they want to go one better next season.