BURNLEY'S St Andrews pulled out all the stops to keep their championship dream alive, by beating Blackburn's East Lancs, themselves on the title fringe, 104, at their Burnley ground.

McClenan showed just why he's challenging for personal honours in the NW Protection Merit, with an outstanding 217 win. Slater's 2111 was the best for the Blackburn outfit.

Saints' win puts them within shouting distance of the top and keeps their winning momentum.

While the Saints can't seem to do much wrong, the same can't be said of the other Burnley club Greenhill. They did their neighbours no favours being routed by Bolton's Bar Lane. Unfortunately it was one that could be forecasted with The Lane getting all 14 points, and putting them eight points clear at the top. There were plenty of good winners, but Merv Yarwood's 213 was probably the pick of the bunch. Greenhill, while now firmly planted in bottom place, issued a defiant call of "Wait till next season" to those who think the past glories of the Burnley club are just that, a thing of the past!

R Utility narrowly lost at the Globe by 13 chalks, and 86 for the Accrington boys. Frank Lord 2110 was the best for the Helmshore outfit, while that "old" master of the greens Billy Finn recorded the best for the Globe 215. This must give the Sunnybank club a morale boost, while yet again the Globe failed to shine, and an opportunity to go second lost.

Almost a classic encounter at a rainsoaked Turton saw the Villagers grind out an impressive win against Colne Cricket. Ken Shaw, showing form that could only impress, also following on from his semi final appearance in last week's doubles, winning 217. While that other veteran campaigner and winner of the Merit several times, Alan Handford, for the Colne outfit, showed how the Turton slope should be played, winning 2112.

Colne British Legion were again involved in another nailbiter, losing to Darwen Subs by four chalks and 86. The Legion seem to have lost more than their fair share by tight margins and should not be downheartened by this impressive performance. Hitchcock 2111 doing the damage for Colne, while Dave Whittle 2111 was the best for Darwen.

P W L D Pt

Bar Lane ... 10 8 3 0 96

Colne Cricket ... 10 6 4 0 88

Globe ... 10 7 2 1 85

St Andrews ... 10 7 2 1 79

Darwen Subs... 10 7 3 0 76

East Lancs ... 10 5 5 0 70

Turton ... 10 4 5 1 63

Colne Br Leg ... 10 3 7 0 52

R Utility ... 10 2 8 0 52

Greenhill ... 10 0 9 1 39