RISHTON rocked Lancashire League leaders Accrington yesterday to spark dreams of Foster’s Worsley Cup glory as they beat their Hyndburn rivals in a low scoring thriller as the sun finally shone on East Lancashire.

After a dreadful first month of the season, there were no such weather worries for the opening round of the famous old competition – and Accrington were the biggest casualties.

With skipper Graham Lloyd missing due to umpiring the Lancashire v Surrey game, Accrington managed to get up to 127 all out in the final over on a really testing track.

Simon Hanson made a patient 24, while Stuart Crabtree was slightly more brutal as he top scored with 29 as spin twins Ali Sartaj and Dan Salpietro put the brakes on.

Then Rishton dug so deep to get over the line in a game that ebbed and flowed with one wicket to spare in the final over.

Colne ended the cup hopes of Church, who have been runners-up for the past two seasons.

And it was drama at twilight on the Horsfield as Colne professional Shadley van Shalkwyck carried his side over the line with late blast.

Church professional Kasun Bodhisa made a fine 76 and Craig Fergusson made 33 as their side posted 210-9.

As Colne replied Khurram Nazir made 29 but it seemed as though no-one could stay with van Shalkwyck – so the South African decided to up the ante himself.

Going into the final over, Colne needed 12 runs to win with two wickets left.

That didn’t phase the South African, who got the 12 in two balls with two maximums to spring a real shock.

Francois Haasbroek made 79 for holders Lowerhouse as they beat Enfield at the Neville Gee Recruitment Ground.

Jonny Whitehead made a half century and Jack Edgar made 40 before Haasbroek batted beautifully and Joey Hawke teed off in typical fashion as he went in for a spot of spectator scattering six-hitting to finish on 46 not out as the House closed on 304-7.

That was too many for Enfield as Paddy Martin sealed the win with a five-wicket haul. Ockert Erasmus top scored with 33 but it was Ramsbottom who took the honours against East Lancashire in what is turning into their annual first round tie.

The teams have been drawn together at this stage for the past three years and East Lancs posted 154-8.

But that was nowhere near enough as the 16-year-old son of league stalwart Steve Dearden, Harry, made a fine 62, while professional Pieter Malan was 59 not out as his side eased home by eight wickets.

Michael Brown made a rare appearance for Burnley and got them out of a hole at Bacup.

The club chairman, a former Middlesex, Hampshire and Surrey star, top scored with 36 as he helped his side from 36-4 up to 156-9.

And then Steve Brunt reduced Bacup to 12-3 after 10 overs.

But they hit back and it seemed as though skipper Joe McCluskie was going to lead his side to a fine win. However, he fell for 52 and Bacup fell 14 runs short.

Freddie Priestley top scored for Todmorden with 60 as they posted 169 against Haslingden at Centre Vale. But skipper Graham Knowles was joined by professional Brenton Parchment and they turned the game.

Parchment overtook his captain in the race to 50 and then brought up Haslingden’s 100 with a glorious six clean over the neighbouring school.

But after he had made 56, Parchment was dismissed meaning Haslingden needed 52 off 21 overs.

They could have wobbled when they lost a couple of cheap wickets but Muneed Ahmed settled the nerves and launched the winning runs into the park.