WHEN Chris Bleazard reached 15,000 Lancashire League runs he had a beer named after him.

But now’s he’s passed the 16,000 mark he’s more interested in seeing the champagne corks popping for Lowerhouse this season.

The 49-year-old got the target with an innings of 13 not out in his side’s victory over Ramsbottom on Sunday.

And that 12-point triumph sets Lowerhouse up nicely for this weekend’s double-header – a Worsley Cup preliminary round clash with Rawtenstall on Saturday followed by a league trip to Colne on Sunday.

Bleazard said: “I was aware I was getting close to 16,000, but to be honest I’m more bothered about if the team can win and perform well.

“Getting 15,000 runs was a big thing, so getting to 16,000 is a bonus.

“But I’m not playing because I’m trying to get to a certain target for myself. I’m playing because I enjoy every game, and as long as I’m fit enough to carry on contributing I will keep on playing.”

He added: “It was a good start. The first game of the season is always a bit of a lottery, so to get the first one out of the way and win it was a bonus – and to beat Ramsbottom, who are reigning champions and one of the fancied teams again this years was an even bigger bonus.”

Bleazard has been with the Liverpool Road club for more than 30 years and would love to see them lifting silverware this year.

“I’ve been playing for Lowerhouse since 1983 and the club hadn’t won a trophy until 2004, so I played for 20-odd years without winning anything,” he said. “Winning the Worsley Cup in 2004 was a massive achievement. Then in 2005 we won the league, which was fantastic.

“Since 2011 we have won another three league titles and a cup, so it is those occasions that you remember the most.”

As for this season, he reckons there are a group of sides that will fancy claiming the title.

He said: “We have looked at our strengths and weaknesses and we think we are up there with the top five sides.

“It will all about the team that gels the best and who can perform under pressure.

“We are looking for success on all fronts. We’ve done pretty well in the T20 over the last few years, but in the Worsley Cup we’ve come up against strong sides.

“That will be the aim this season, reaching the final at least, and then it’s a 50/50 contest.”

Sunday's Lancashire League fixtures: Bacup v Clitheroe, Burnley v Todmorden, Church v Nelson, Colne v Lowerhouse, East Lancs v Haslingden, Enfield v Great Harwood, Ramsbottom v Accrington, Rishton v Darwen