ONE Young man will be celebrating a Worsley Cup semi-final place when East Lancs and Bacup meet at Alexandra Meadows tomorrow.

It's a clash of the Young pros with East Lancs all-rounder Brad facing his fellow Australian Shaun for a last four spot in the prestigious competition.

South Australian Brad, 28, has already got one over on his countryman when his celebrated a two-wicket win over defending Transco Lancashire League champions Bacup in the league last month.

But Shaun is confident there will be a different outcome tomorrow. "Brad is a very good cricketer and I know him well as I do the other Australian pros. We tend to meet up regularly and I enjoy playing against them," said the 31-year-old.

"The first time we played East Lancs this season, it came down to the last over. It was an extremely close game.

"But I think it will be different tomorrow when you have got to have five different bowlers and because me and Brad are only allowed to bowl 10 overs each.

"That leaves it up to the rest of the guys and puts more of the pressure on them really.

"I think that could have a big influence on the game."

All-rounder Shaun has had a good start to life at Lanehead after he had a tough task following last season's paid man Adam Dale who helped Bacup to their first championship in 40 years.

"It has been a pretty good start, once the weather sorted itself out, and we are now sitting just a point behind the leaders, Rishton," said the Tasmanian.

"It was a big ask to follow Adam but we are just going along nice and slowly, concentrating on our own game and we are not doing too badly so far."

Shaun is on his third extended stay in England after pro-ing at Northern League side Fleetwood and spending one season with Gloucestershire as their overseas player in 1997.

But it is his first venture into the Lancashire League scene -- and he already made an impact, taking 4-31 in Bacup's opening day league win over Enfield and recording a 135 knock in their recent victory over Lowerhouse.

"It has quite surprised me the high standard of the league. It is very competitive," he said.

"And I know how much the Worsley Cup means. Both sides got a bye in the first round so it will be my first taste of it, but we are going to try and go for it."

While Bacup's mind will be on the Worsley Cup tomorrow, it's a huge game on Sunday when the defending champs make the trip to one of the pre season title favourites Todmorden.

The two have already met in the curtain raiser to the season, the Colne Trophy, where Bacup were the victors but Shaun knows now both side's have found their feet, Todmorden will be a different proposition.

"We haven't played either Rishton or Todmorden yet and so Sunday will be a big test. That should be some match," he said.

"I think they are the two teams we have to beat if we are going to win the title. But we are quite happy for them to be the favourites and for us to be the underdogs and we will just carry on quietly and see where it takes us." TOMORROW'S GAMES

WORSLEY CUP QUARTER-FINALS

East Lancs v Bacup; Accrington v Burnley; Nelson v Ramsbottom; Colne v Todmorden.