Worsley Cup semis set to shift if rain hits hard (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Worsley Cup semis set to shift if rain hits hard

11:00am Saturday 16th June 2012 in Sport By Matt Donlan, Sports reporter

THE semi-finals of the Worsley Cup could be moved as the Foster’s Lancashire League executive committee looks to find a way round a backlog created by the Weather.

The four quarter-finals of the competition are due to take place this afternoon after they were wiped out last weekend with the semi-finals set for next Sunday.

But if the forecasted rain comes in again today and prevents play, the matches between Nelson and Accrington, East Lancashire and Enfield, Church and Haslingden and Lowerhouse and Bacup will be played next Sunday with the semi-finals then moved to a new date.

If play starts and the first innings is completed matches will continue on Monday night.

If a game starts and fewer than 25 overs are completed in the first innings, the game will be abandoned and replayed next Sunday, while if 25 overs or more are completed, the game will recommence from that position on what should be semi-final day.

The weather has been an issue this season and the rain hit reigning champions and current Foster’s Lancashire League leaders Lowerhouse last weekend as they suffered the only washout.

Weather permitting they head to the scene of their glorious title triumph tomorrow as they bid to push on towards retaining the silverware.

Charlie Cottam’s men got their hands of the crown when they beat Todmorden at Centre Vale in the penultimate game of last season and they head back as the league’s only unbeaten side, sitting on top of the table and favourites to be crowned champions again.

But Church are hot on their heels and have closed the gap to one point after they won at Nelson last week while Lower-house were kicking their heels as the rain frustrated them against Haslingden.

Church face a real stern test of their mettle tomorrow as they welcome Ramsbottom to West End in what could turn out to be the game of the day despite Rammy’s stuttering season.

Jon Fielding’s men are down in seventh, 28 points off the pace having lost four games - but the left-armer is demanding a return to form and believes his men can put a winning run together.

Third-placed Accrington host Colne at Thorneyholme Road in a repeat of the Worsley Cup first round tie and home skipper Jimmy Hayhurst names a 12-man squad, while Burnley welcome East Lancashire to Turf Moor and Nelson make the trip to Haslingden.

Rishton face Bacup to Blackburn Road in another game that is a repeat of the Worsley Cup first round with the visitors borrowing Blackpool professional Dale Deeb.

And there is a clash of South African paid men at Dill Hall Lane as Enfield, with Werner Coetsee in top form, entertain Rawtenstall, whose pro Jandre Coetzee is finding his feet.

n Church will holding a Summer Cricket Coaching Camp from Monday, July 23, through to Friday, July 26.

The camp, which is led by ECB qualified coaches and Church professional Saeed Anwar, runs each day between 10am and 3.30pm and to book a place contact Phil Sykes on 0750 1250736.

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