SKIPPER Phil Hayes believes his side’s professional Nick Benton epitomises Haslingden’s spirit as the Bentgate club climbed into the Lancashire League top six.

Australian Benton made 66 in a losing Worsley Cup cause against Colne on Saturday but played his part in Saturday’s league victory over Church as Haslingden successfully chased down 220.

And Hayes, who hit 53 in that victory, believes there is more to come from the 25-year-old who has already made his mark on his new teammates.

“If you could put together the characteristics of a Haslingden player then you would end up with Nick,” Hayes said.

“He has the right mentality for this club. He’s a larger than life character and gets the sense of humour at the club.

“He is only 25 but is very mature in his approach to the game and he has fitted in really well.

“He is a bowling pro who creates pressure for us to get wickets and has already formed a partnership with Lewis McIntosh who must be one of the most economical bowlers in the league.

“He has fitted into our plan which is to get wickets by creating pressure and then use our top order batsman to get some runs.

“I think he will continue to get better.”

Haslingden’s league win over Church came despite home pro Zain Abbas hitting an unbeaten 117 and Hayes was keen to praise his side for emerging with the points.

He added: “It is not very often you chase down 220 and win a game when the opposition pro scores a century.

“We did really well to restrict them to that to total because they were well set and we thought we could be chasing 300 but we bowled really well at the death with McIntosh and Jordan Shannon doing very well.

“Then Graham Knowles and Chris Cook-Martin set off like a train and we had 70 after 10 overs so we broke the back of the chase and were able to get over the line.”