10:00am Saturday 30th June 2012
By Matt Donlan
SPIN king Jonathan Fielding says Lowerhouse are now the model for all clubs to follow – but still reckons they could be pipped at the post as they chase a second successive Foster’s Lancashire League title.
Ramsbottom’s captain, who is chasing his own bit of history this season as he bids to become the first amateur to claim 100 wickers three years on the trot, is impressed by events at Lowerhouse, whose decision to develop their young players paid a rich reward with last year’s crown.
And they are in the box seat to retain the trophy after opening up a 20-point lead. But Fielding reckons there could be more twists and turns to come.
“Lowerhouse are a fabulous side,” he said. “They have so much strength in their squad and that is a great position to be in. They can change their batting line-up around depend-ing on the nature of the game and they have so much talent.
“The title win last season was a reward for all the hard work put in over the years by the likes of Stan Heaton and what Lowerhouse have done is the model for what clubs need to do for the future.”
The House are the only unbeaten team in the league this term and stand 35 points ahead of Fielding’s fifth-placed Ramsbottom but the spinner believes there could yet be twists and turns with 16 games still to play at the start of a hectic July.
“Lowerhouse are on a heck of a run,” he added. “It’s similar to us two years ago when we won 20-odd on the trot.
“You start believing you can’t lose, your confidence is sky high – but the big test comes when you do lose.
“It’s about how you bounce back from that – and how you cope with everyone in the league chasing you down.
“So I still think there could be a few twists and turns to come.”
Fielding’s men head to third-placed Accrington tomorrow for a battle between the two leading amateur bowlers with the left-armer facing Accring-ton’s David Ormerod.
The pair both have 37 wickets and Fielding added: “It’s a massive game for both ourselves and Accy.”
The biggest clash of the day comes at West End as Church, in second spot, host Lowerhouse.
Adam Greenwood returns for Church as Craig Fergusson’s men play their third huge game in three days after last night’s Twenty20 semi-final and this afternoon’s Worsley Cup last-four clash at Accrington.
Three of the top four sides are from Hyndburn - and fourth-placed Enfield are at home to East Lancashire in a repeat of this afternoon’s Worsley Cup quarter-final.
Tim Farragher leads Bacup in the absence of the injured David Warren as Colne visit Lanehead and the home side also borrow Darwen’s profess-ional Shaun De Kock for the clash.
Todmorden field the father and son duo of veteran Stuart Priestley and rising star Freddie Priestley in their Centre Vale clash with Nelson, while Rawtenstall aim to make it back-to-back wins as they travel to Turf Moor for their game with Burnley and Haslingden entertain Rishton.
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