GO MAKE IT ten

30/ 8/2007

RAWTENSTALL Cricket Club must extend their unbeaten league run to 10 games this weekend to continue their phenomenal push for a first championship success in 25 years.

Nothing less than two more wins will do as they have only three games to play and a seven-point deficit to cut back on leaders Rishton, who have a game in hand.

Lurking a further 11 points adrift in third place – also with a game in hand – are reigning champions Burnley.

The Turf Moor outfit have started to find a bit of form and could have a sense of deja vu as they try to repeat their feat of 2006 by going top on the final day to win the title.

But it is Rawtenstall, who can really pile the pressure on Rishton this weekend, if they can beat Nelson and Lowerhouse.
That could set up a classic encounter between Rishton and Rawtenstall on the final day.

But the journey starts at Nelson tomorrow where they will be facing a sub-pro in West Indian Sherwin Campbell and a home side eager to avenge last week’s reverse at the Worswick Memorial Ground.

Rawtenstall skipper Andy Payne said: ‘We hope to make it 10 in a row but we have a couple of tough games. I cannot remember the last time that we won at Nelson and it will be difficult because they will be looking to avenge the defeat last week.’

Lowerhouse also gave Rawtenstall a pasting in the early weeks of the season before Rawtenstall pro Sanjay Bangar arrived and the Valley side were languishing at the bottom of the table.

But since then there has been a transformation at Bacup Road.

The skipper explained: ‘I really do think the meeting we had after the Twenty/20 defeat by Haslingden made the lads take stock and realise the performances were not good enough.

‘Sanjay turning to spin has also had a lot to do with it and he has become confident with the bat and has not looked back. We have always had the players but we needed the pro to do something and Sanjay has done.

‘But it is always the case with teams that win the league that you have people down the order who can win you games. Bacup were a good example with Chappy and Killers. We probably have four or five that can win a match and if we can get two wins this weekend then that will put a lot of pressure on Rishton.’

Professional Sanjay Bangar said: ‘It has been good so far but it is better not to look beyond this weekend. If we lose one game we are out of it.’

He added: ‘The club has a lot of talented individuals and it was just a matter of getting a few wins and now the confidence is back. There are good young players like Chris Cook-Martin and Danny Barlow and Will Cook-Martin, who have ability. Kez has taken 50 wickets and Andy Payne has done well as captain. It has been good by everybody and a good team effort and it has been very good to be part of such a team.’

Friday, 31 August.
Rawtenstall floodlit competition: Bacup v Ramsbottom or Haslingden.

Saturday, 1 September.
Fourth fixed date from Saturday, 30 June
Accrington v Burnley, Bacup v Church, Haslingden v East Lancs, Lowerhouse v Enfield, Nelson v Rawtenstall, Rishton v Colne, Todmorden v Ramsbottom.
Sunday, 2 September.
Burnley v Todmorden, Church v Haslingden, Colne v Bacup, East Lancs v Accrington, Enfield v Rishton, Ramsbottom v Nelson, Rawtenstall v Lowerhouse.