It looked ominous for East Lancs as Rishton recovered from a dodgy start to post 176-8 with professional Billy Stelling looking lethargic. Amateurs Ian Haworth (3-26) and Nas Iqbal (2-18) kept Rishton within range.
But Jon Dobson's 51, including six boundaries, and John Seedle's unbeaten 39 against his old club seemed to have put Rishton in a strong position.
Stelling, however, came to life with the bat and shared a crucial stand of 98 for the third wicket with impressive skipper Mark Lomas. The pro hit six fours and a six in his 50 before being brilliantly caught by Meyrick Pringle and Lomas (69 not out) hammered eight fours and two sixes.
A highlight for struggling Rishton was the debut of 14-year-old wicketkeeper Christopher Leathert who really looked the part.
Seamer Waqas Amin landed seven wickets as Burnley claimed the honours against close neighbours Nelson at Turf Moor.
Amin returned his best ever Lancashire League figures of 7 for 50 as Nelson struggled to 118 for 8.
Earlier, Burnley's 201 for 5 was dominated by a brilliant century from professional Dale Benkenstein.
The powerful South African smashed an unbeaten 114, an innings which included nine fours and five sixes as Burnley claimed four precious points.
Enfield cruised to another five point success with a crushing victory over Todmorden at Dill Hall Lane.
Enfield, now in joint-second place, built their 212 for 7 around openers Andy Barker (55) and Liam Jackson's (63).
Substitute professional Vasbert Drakes was quickly amongst the wickets for the home team, claiming five for 25 and veteran Bernard Reidy three for nine as Todmorden collapsed to a poor 76 all out. Accrington claimed a comfortable five point victory over struggling Church at Blackburn Road.
Church were skittled out for only 90 as Tariq Hussein picked up five wickets and professional Peter Sleep three.
Colne threw away a strong position against Lowerhouse to complete a disappointing weekend.
``We were in the box seat all the way and should have won comfortably,'' admitted Colne skipper Gary Hunt.
Colne were quite happy to restrict Lowerhouse to 152-8, Chris Bleazard's 63 being the mainstay of the innings.
And, at 108-4, they looked to be in a winning position. But Lowerhouse professional Corrie Jordaan, as always, proved ultra-economical and wickets began to tumble.
Jez Hope picked up four and Matt Hope weighed in with the vital scalp of Colne pro Ben Johnson for 43 as Colne were left kicking themselves - beaten by seven runs.
The Rawtenstall versus Bacup clash at the Worswick Memorial Ground ended in an exciting tie as the teams shared two points each.
Rawtenstall, with substitute professional Keith Arthurton in their ranks, won the toss and clocked up 152 for seven. Adam Wilson top scored with 39.
Bacup appeared bang on course for victory as opener Mark Taylor posted a superb half century, but the reply slowed as wickets fell and Bacup had to be content with the draw.