House celebrate biggest Lancashire League win as title race hots up

Burnley CC climbed to the top of the Lancashire League and Lowerhouse sent records tumbling on a winning weekend for both clubs against the bottom two sides.

Dan Salpietro scored an unbeaten 178 in a total of 393-5 at Enfield, paving the way for Lowerhouse's 268-run victory on Sunday.

It was the club's biggest winning margin ever and their highest score from a professional as Salpietro fired seven sixes among 26 boundaries.

He shared stands of 136 for the third wicket with Jonathan Whitehead (77) and 148 for the fourth with Thomas Walker (44) as Lowerhouse recorded their second-highest total in 50-over cricket.

Adam Hewitt replied with 49 for bottom club Enfield but his demise sparked a collapse from 115-4 to 125 all out as Patrick Martin took 5-50.

Third-placed House are 16 points behind new leaders Burnley, who sealed their sixth straight victory by five wickets at home to Littleborough.

Matthew Hernon made 51 and Joe Barnes 41 but the visitors were all out for 156 as captain Ockert Erasmus took 3-32 from 14 overs.

An opening 65 between Liam Bedford (32) and M Qasim Shah (27) then laid the foundation for Callum Clarke's unbeaten 40 to seal Burnley's victory with more than 10 overs in hand at 160-5.

Burnley capitalised on Walsden's 53-run defeat at Ramsbottom to go 10 points clear of them at the top ahead of a visit to Haslingden this Saturday, when Lowerhouse host Clitheroe.

Third-placed Nelson moved to within five points of division two leaders Crompton after a seven-wicket victory at Middleton.

Captain Rehan Uwadia made 67 in the hosts' 193-7, which Nelson cruised past with 20 overs remaining.

Opener Sam Holt made 72 in Nelson's 194-3, sharing 76 for the first wicket with Hassan Fazal (33) and 72 for the second with captain Tyler McGladdery (59 not out).

Colne are fourth after their eight-wicket win at Church & Oswaldwistle, who folded from 124-4 to 134 all out, Shahzaib Raka taking 4-32.

It meant the efforts of opener Craig Fergusson (64) were in vain as Colne required barely 23 overs to wrap up victory.

Kenton Rhodes carried his bat for 49, sharing an unbroken stand of 86 with Geeth Kumara (47 not out) in Colne's 135-2.

Colne will be seeking a fifth straight win when they host leaders Crompton on Sunday, when Nelson are at home to Rochdale.