BRENDAN NASH is backing Todmorden to recover from the shock of conceding over 300 runs in their defeat weekend and bounce back to winning ways against Lowerhouse tomorrow.

Nash scored an unbeaten 176 as Todmorden posted a seemingly unassailable 301-3 against Ramsbottom in the EW Cartons lancashire League at Centre Vale a week agao.

But they were unable to defend that total as Ramsbottom romped to a remarkable three-wicket win.

Nash admitted to a major case of mixed feelings after his mighty knock which placed him behind only Phil Simmons (178), Collis King (179) and Graham Knowles (183 not out) in the list of highest scorers in limited-overs Lancashire League cricket.

"I would have given up every run for a win but it was good at the end to see what I had done," he admitted.

"When you score that many runs you don't think you will be the losing team.

"It was the sort of wicket when you just didn't want to get out early. And then when you got to 50 you didn't want to get out because you felt like you could go all the way.

"We were still a bit wary of what they could do because of the pitch and the outfield but we did think they wouldn't get them if we bowled well.

"But all credit to them, they chased very well."

Nash believes, however, that Todmorden will be strong enough to put the disappointment behind them and continue their climb up the league.

He added: "I think we will take the positive things out of it and if you score that many you would expect to win most times.

"We had won four in a row up to last week so if we could make it five out of six tomorrow that wouldn't be bad going."

Last weekend's record-breaking pitch, which produced the league's highest-ever run aggregate as well as club records for Nash and Richard Baigent in a second-wicket stand of 252, had been used for the previous day's county second-team clash between Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Todmorden are at home again tomorrow when the batsmen - including Lowerhouse professional Martin Van Jaarsveld, whose own unbeaten century was in a winning cause last weekend - will be hoping for another belter.

"I don't interfere, I just let them prepare what they want. But knowing Todmorden it will probably be a good pitch," added Nash.

"I think that sort of innings has done me the world of good. My confidence is sky-high, although tomorrow is a different game."

The Queensland left-hander stroked seven sixes and 21 fours in his 147-ball knock which was the biggest of his career.

From a personal point of view he couldn't have timed it better with his girlfiend arriving for a holiday the day before and his mother also at the ground a week into her stay.

And while Nash's efforts might not have produced any ripples back home in Australia yet, that could change when he returns at the end of the season.

"I'll be taking some clippings back and making it known.

"I have always been branded as a 40-50 man but with a couple more of these innings that can be throw that away," he added.

Tomorrow's games: Bacup v Accrington, Burnley v Rishton, East Lancs v Church, Enfield v Rawtenstall, Nelson v Haslingden, Ramsbottom v Colne, Todmorden v Lowerhouse.

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