IAN Austin reckons Haslingden could take a leaf out of the champions Bacup's book when it comes to building a successful side.

The two sides clash at Bacup tomorrow, with the home side on a high having won 15 of their 18 games so far this season and gearing up for the Worsley Cup final on Sunday.

Haslingden, however, lie ninth after some inconsistent spells during the year.

"We are doing better now than we were a month ago," said Austin, who is still contracted to Lancashire and has a year of his contract still to run at Haslingden.

"We got beat off Lowerhouse last weekend but before that we won about four games on the run. It has just been our inconsistency that has been the problem most of the season.

"We haven't batted very well, we were inconsistent with our bowling and we were just making it difficult for ourselves.

"We got ourselves into positions to win but then threw it away."

The team started to doubt their ability to win games, though that has improved in recent matches.

"People start to get negative," said Austin. "There has been a lack of confidence but when you get off to a decent start everyone goes out expecting to win."

And that is what Bacup do so well at.

"Bacup have been on such a good run they think they are going to win every time they go out, whatever happens. We could do with learning a bit from them.

"There are probably a few sides who would say that man for man they are better than Bacup but the Bacup players are all playing for each other and have that confidence and that confidence comes from winning.

"They've got that never say die attitude and they look favourites to win it again.

"Tomorrow, though, we are hoping they have one eye on Sunday's cup final.

"But even if they don't, if we concentrate on what we are doing we can give anybody a game, as can most sides.

"We have to rise to the challenge of playing the champions."

Austin returned to Haslingden as professional and captain this season after 15 years with Lancashire. And he sees a bright future for the club.

"We have a young lad, only 15, Zubare Intiaz. He is in his first proper season in the senior side and I just saw him playing in winter nets last year.

"I asked some of the lads there 'Who's that?' and they didn't know, but he is training with the senior side now and has played a few games this season and will probably play the rest now.

"He is quite useful, a spin bowler, and he spins it a long way. He was just playing midweek cricket before.

"But he has got a big future. There is a lot of potential for him as he gets older and wiser.

"I am enjoying the captain's job. It's different, it depends how you are doing. If you are doing well it's the easiest job in the world but if it is not happening it is twice as much pressure being the professional and the captain."

"But in a low spell and you just go out and you'll take a win from anywhere.

Against Todmorden we were just over the run rate to get points and we picked up 10 even though we were rained off after 30 overs.

Then we won the next three games and suddenly the attitude changes and you go on a winnign run.

We probably should have won last week.

"I am enjoying it," he said. "I knew most of the people here already but it is different being the captain as well but I have enjoyed it.

"I am just trying to get things in motion for next season, we are not going to win anything this year now but we need to prepare for next year. IAN Austin reckons Haslingden could take a leaf out of the champions Bacup's book when it comes to building a successful side.

The two sides clash at Lanehead tomorrow, with the home side on a high having won 15 of their 18 games so far this season and gearing up for the Worsley Cup final on Sunday.

Haslingden, however, lie ninth after some inconsistent spells during the year.

"We are doing better now than we were a month ago," said Austin, who is still contracted to Lancashire and has a year of his contract still to run at Haslingden.

"We got beat off Lowerhouse last weekend but before that we won about four games on the run. It has just been our inconsistency that has been the problem most of the season.

"We haven't batted very well, we were inconsistent with our bowling and we were just making it difficult for ourselves.

"We have got ourselves into positions to win but then threw it away."

The team started to doubt their ability to win games, though that has improved in recent matches.

"People start to get negative," said Austin. "There has been a lack of confidence but when you get off to a decent start everyone goes out expecting to win."

And that is what Bacup do so well at."Bacup have been on such a good run they think they are going to win every time they go out. We could do with learning a bit from them.

"There are probably a few sides who would say that man for man they are better than Bacup but the Bacup players are all playing for each other and have that confidence and that confidence comes from winning.

"They've got that never say die attitude and they look favourites to win it again. Tomorrow, though, we are hoping they have one eye on Sunday's cup final.

"But even if they don't, if we concentrate on what we are doing we can give anybody a game, as can most sides.

"We have to rise to the challenge of playing the champions."

Austin returned to Haslingden as professional and captain this season after 15 years with Lancashire. And he sees a bright future for the club.

"We have a young lad, only 15, Zubare Intiaz. He is in his first proper season in the senior side and I just saw him playing in winter nets last year.

"I asked some of the lads there 'Who's that?' and they didn't know, but he is training with the senior side now and has played a few games this season and will probably play the rest now.

"He is useful, a spin bowler, and he spins it a long way. He has got a big future.

"I am enjoying the captain's job. It's different, it depends how you are doing. If you are doing well it's the easiest job in the world but if it is not happening, it is twice as much pressure being the professional and the captain."

FIXTURES: Burnley v East Lancs; Church v Todmorden, Enfield v Colne, Nelson v Accrington, Ramsbottom v Rawtenstall, Rishton v Lowerhouse