THIEFS have hampered Matthew Nicholson's preparations for tomorrow's Transco Lancashire League clash at Rawtenstall.

The Todmorden professional usually likes a game of golf with fellow Australian paid men Marcus North and Matthew Mott during the week in the build up for the games at the weekend.

But his golf clubs were stolen from his car last week.

"There's no golf for me until the insurance comes in," said the 26-year-old, although whoever took them better beware as Matthew stands at 6ft 6".

But he has shrugged off the incident and will now have his mind firmly focussed on the double header weekend as he looks to get one over on his old mate Mott, the Rawtenstall pro, tomorrow before fourth-placed Tod travel to Lowerhouse on Sunday.

"I know Matthew well. We met at junior level and went to the cricket academy in Australia together. And we've come up against each other quite a few times over the years.

"He is a good lad and it is nice to come over here and meet up again. There are quite a few of us from Australia so we tend to hang out together."

Todmorden is Matthew's first venture into English cricket -- although he did come over on a schoolboy tour -- and so far he is enjoying the experience after replacing Dan Marsh who left to play for Leicestershire at the end of last season.

"It has been pretty good so far," said the right arm seamer.

"The guys have treated me and my wife really well and let me know how to play against different teams in the League.

"We have lost a few games which were disappointing but that is always going to happen.

"The local lads know the conditions and it has taken me a bit with the soft wicket but the standard over here is very good and it is always a challenge."

And he is also relishing the chance of playing higher up the batting order than he does for his side Western Australia -- and has so far made a number of important knocks.

"I'm usually number eight back home but playing at four or five for Todmorden gives me a chance to have a good bat and it's a challenge with the wickets as they are at the moment."

The Centre Vale side -- with the addition of Central Lancashire League players Steve Oddy, Robin Jackson and Chris Dearden -- have been widely tipped as the title favourites this season.

But Matthew thinks current League leaders Rishton, who Todmorden have beaten twice this season in the league and first round of the Worsley Cup, are the ones to watch.

"Rishton look like the side to beat. We've played two tough games against them and they are up there.

"But we just have to take each game as it comes, see where we are in August and then we'll take it from there.

"I'm not feeling the pressure as the last time Todmorden won the league was 1957."

But what he may be feeling nervous about is the Worsley Cup, where Todmorden are the defending champions.

After brushing aside Rishton, they now face Colne in round two on June 2.

"In the first round of the cup, I could sense the atmosphere around the club, it was pretty good.

"They are obviously keen to win it again and we'll see what we can do."

Tomorrow's games (rescheduled from Saturday April 28): Burnley v Bacup; Church v Nelson; Colne v Accrington; East Lancs v Lowerhouse; Enfield v Haslingden; Rawtenstall v Todmorden.

Rishton and Ramsbottom are without a game tomorrow as their match went ahead on the original date.