Frankie says relax ahead of super Sunday (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Frankie says relax ahead of super Sunday

8:56am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in Cricket

THE battle for the Foster’s Lancashire League title will go down to the last weekend – with Lowerhouse in the box seat despite their shock loss to cross-town rivals Burnley.

Charlie Cottam’s House stole a march on the pretenders to their crown when they won on Saturday to move 12 points clear.

And they would have taken another giant step towards retaining the title they won last season if they had beaten their rivals 24 hours later.

However they were well beaten on a tough day at Turf Moor but Enfield’s defeat against Accrington, who are now second, meant the House stayed 10 points going into the final weekend double header.

But professional Francois Haasbroek is sure his men will see the job through – despite the Sunday setback.

“I suppose it shows the beauty of the Lancashire League,” said the big South African.

“It is such a competitive competition and so many teams are capable of beating each other.

“But in reality our defeat doesn’t change too much and we still need to win our last two games in order to win the league, it was one defeat and we need to do our job to see it through.

“And there are 13 teams in the Lancashire League who would quite happily swap places with us and be 10 points clear of the rest with two games to go.”

Haasbroek is determined to make it back-to-back titles for the Liverpool Road side and believes the quality is in the camp to negotiate the final games at Nelson on Saturday and at home to Ramsbottom on what could be a super Sunday.

“I suppose ideally you want the title wrapped up with games to go,” he added. “But there is something special about playing in the pressure atmosphere of a final day.

“You know what you have to do and you know the pressure is on – but it is like cup final cricket in that situation.

“And if you can come through on that occasion you can really enjoy it.

“There will be a big crowd down and I am sure we can see the job through. It will be a great day if we can do it.”

Accrington’s final two games see them hosting Rishton on Saturday and then facing Burnley at Thorneyholme Road, while Adam Bracewell’s Enfield’s defeat hasn’t knocked them entirely out of the race for glory.

But their game with Church on Saturday is pivotal to both sides as Craig Fergusson’s men have launched their own late bid.

Todmorden are in fifth and need to win their final two games at Bacup and at home to Colne to have any chance of claiming the title they have chased so hard this term.