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The Ew Cartons title race could be decided on Sunday when East Lancs go to Seedhill holding a three-point lead over defending champions Nelson with two games remaining.

East Lancs underlined the vast difference between top and bottom of the league yesterday with an overwhelming win over Rishton at Alexandra Meadows.

In fact, it was only a gallant eighth-wicket partnership between John Davies (33) and Frank Barden (4 not out) that prevented Rishton facing total humiliation and helped them limp to an allout score of just 49.

Such was the league leaders' command, they had Rishton at an incredible 7-7 and it was the 16th over before runs scored passed wickets fallen!

A score of single figures looked a possibility at one stage for Rishton, who have hit rock bottom in recent weeks, and they began by losing their first wicket from the opening delivery - to a run out. East Lancs pro Claude Henderson went on to reach 100 victims for the season with his first wicket in a remarkable spell of 3-8 from 18 overs and Ian Haworth (3-15) made it his best-ever season with 53 wickets.

Davies and Barden showed up the rest of their team-mates but the biggest talking point was the 'nine' scored by Davies from one Haworth delivery.

The ball was edged by the batsman, hit a helmet behind the wicketkeeper and ricocheted to the boundary. After interval consultations the umpires decided it was five runs for hitting the helmet and four for the boundary.

But there was an argument that, once the ball had struck the helmet, it should have been declared five runs and a dead ball! East Lancs coasted to victory without losing a wicket in just 10 overs, concerned that the greatest threat came from the imminent rain.

Nelson matched East Lancs by beating Burnley. Paul Garaghty's 50 was the high spot of some consistent batting, though Burnley helped themselves to a couple of bonus points by dismissing them for 197.

With Trevor Kegg (4-44) and Roger Harper (6-52) bowling unchanged, however, Nelson were comfortable winners.

Young David Brown was Burnley's top scorer on 44.

Church clocked up their fourth successive victory against Accrington.

It was also a special occasion for bowler Nick Westwell, who registered the 500th league wicket of his career.

Accrington struggled to 109 all out with Church pro Neil McGarrell turning in a fine 15-over stint that yielded 5-27. Zahir Afzal (21 not out) brought a bit of life to Accrington's tail.

Church took their time, with opener Alec Holt's 50 from 87 balls laying the foundations for victory.

Enfield could count themselves distinctly unlucky not to beat Todmorden at Dill Hall Lane as the rain came when they were in a winning position.

Professional Brendan Nash, whose 61 included seven boundaries, led the way as Todmorden posted a highly-respectable 195-5 but Enfield had the target in their sights thanks to their formidable opening partnership of Andrew Barker and Russ Edmonds. The record-breaking pair put on 126 for the first wicket, Edmonds hitting six boundaries in his 51.

And Barker was still there at the end, unbeaten on 90 - including nine fours and a six.

But, with six overs left and 29 needed, the rain ended play and the revised target they needed under this season's rules was 178.

Ramsbottom were also frustrated by the rain against Haslingden with Simon Read (30 not out) looking in control and capable of getting the final 30 runs needed for victory from the last five overs which were washed out.

Ramsbottom had been set a target of 191(later revised to 176) for victory after professional Matt Pascoe picked up three wickets and Charlie Lord hit 45 for Haslingden.

And they put themselves in with a great chance, despite the unlucky loss of Mark Price (31) through a calf injury.

Rawtenstall skipper Keith Roscoe's late season form continued with a haul of 6-28 in his side's win over Bacup at Bacup Road.

Bacup were bowled out for 144 with only skipper Peter Thompson (55) and Andrew Knights (39) impressing with the bat.

Rawtenstall were steered to a nine-wicket victory with Peter Hanson (56 not out) and sub-professional Billy Stelling (59 not out).

Colne made short work of Lowerhouse, Nick Moulding (4-29) the bowling star as they restricted their opponents to 137-8.

Then Gary Hunt (51) and professional Joe Scuderi (67) got to work and Colne ran out handsome eight-wicket winners.