RICHARD Lamb admits his Whalley players are trying to strike a balance between work, rest and playing cricket.

The Station Roaders have experienced a hectic time with games in the Ribblesdale League, Twenty20, Ramsbottom Cup and LCB Knockout occupying their weekends.

Had it not been for poor weather on Saturday, Whalley would have played on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. They face a similarly packed programme this weekend.

But, although Lamb accepts it can be demanding, he revealed they would not have it any other way.

"We want to be fighting in all competitions," he said.

"We're playing a lot of the time at the moment. Saturday was a wash-out across the league, so it was a day off for everyone!

"We've got three games again this weekend. You want to be playing cricket but it's a balance.

"Sometimes it feels a little bit much, but you would rather be in the competitions than out of them."

Whalley have one less competition to focus on after exiting the LCB Knockout at the hands of former Ribblesdale League rivals Clitheroe on Sunday.

"They are a strong outfit and the better side on the day," said Lamb.

"They're doing really well and are top of the Lancashire League so it was no disgrace losing to them.

"But our objective at the start of the season was to be competing to win something.

"We're still in the T20 and Ramsbottom Cup and we've done pretty well in the league so far.

"We started a little bit slowly with the three new guys settling in, but they're starting to gel now. People understand their roles," added Lamb, who has seen professional Toby Bulcock join the club along with Stuart Crabtree from Accrington and Sam Sweeney from Denton West.

"They've all brought a lot of experience and cricketing knowledge to the team. They've all performed really well."

The Ribblesdale League splits into Section A and Section B this weekend, with Whalley handed a home game against Euxton. A T20 game at Read on Friday and Ramsbottom Cup quarter final game at Barnoldswick fall either side.

"We've played the teams in the bottom division and now we start playing against the sides in the same division, so the tougher tests will start this week," said Lamb.

"We're looking forward to testing ourselves against the so-called better teams and seeing where we are.

"The tough games will come thick and fast now."

Whalley have drafted in Haslingden professional Nicholas Benton for Sunday's Ramsbottom Cup clash as Toby Bulock is unavailable.