MATT Wilson says he has rediscovered his love of cricket since signing for Earby – and reckons his old pants played a major part in their biggest day of the season.

The 33-year-old batsman, who started his career as a youngster at The Applegarth, says Sunday’s Ramsbottom Cup demolition of Padiham was a ‘brilliant feeling’ and now he has eyes on Ribblesdale Wanderers in the semi-final on June 30.

And Wilson is vowing to stick with his lucky pants as he aims to recreate the spirit of Colne’s improbable Worsley Cup success of 2010.

“There are similarites,” he said. “The spirit in the Earby team is brilliant and we should be doing better than we are.

“But Sunday can be a catalyst for us...and I am putting it down to my lucky pants.

“I have had a couple of poor seasons so on Sunday I dug out my old whites from 2010.

“They are grey and have a few holes in them and when I pulled them out of my bag on Sunday our skipper Pete Baistow was laughing his head off.

“Lee Parkinson bowled brilliantly and took five wickets – but I am telling folk it was my pants that won it.”

Wilson’s return to the crease is a boost for Earby, especially after he was set to move from Colne to Lowerhouse only to pull out of his switch.

“To be honest at my age and with work there was no way I could give Lowerhouse the commitment they wanted,” said Wilson.

“They are a really fit side and I don’t think I could ever get close to their levels.

“That’s not doing anyone at Earby of in the Ribblesdale League down either – it just speaks volumes for Lowerhouse.

“But I am back now where it all started and really enjoying every bit of my cricket and with a bit of luck we can kick on now.

“And my old pants are staying very much on.”