WILL Purser has been dubbed "Del Boy" at Baxenden.

The 24-year-old, who is in his first position as a professional at Bash, is also something of an entrepreneur, designing his own cricket kit called "Shocka".

The Lancashire second XI bowler is hoping that will be a success - while he also looks to be a hit on the pitch and lead Baxenden to the league title.

They finished runners-up last season but have got off to a strong start, easily seeing off Earby on Saturday in the opening Ribblesdale League game and they face Blackburn Northern, who just pipped them for the title, tomorrow.

"I am enjoying it. They are a good set of lads here and I am excited because it is my first professional job," said Purser.

"It was pretty cold last Saturday which made it hard but I was relieved to get my first wicket especially in the conditions."

Purser ended with 3-34 in the 100-run victory but the star of the show was Dave Parkinson who hit an unbeaten 110 in the first game.

"Dave is a good bloke. You can’t knock him when he gets runs like that," said the Back Lane paid man.

And they still have another face to add to their formidable batting line-up when Ian Austin makes his debut. He couldn’t play in the Bash opener after a ban he picked up at his old club St Annes last season but the ex-England star should make his bow tomorrow.

"It is a bonus having Ian here as it does take the pressure off me a little bit. He has been giving me advice," said Purser, from Heywood,

"He has played for England so he knows plenty about the game and I can talk to him and get his opinion on things.

"I was at Bootle with Graham Lloyd last year and he speaks highly of Ian and told me what a decent set up it was at Baxenden - he helped me to come here."

The youngster did almost sign for Lancashire League side Accrington - where Lloyd is - but is contracted to the Staffordshire Minor League and, due to them playing on Sunday, it wouldn’t work out. With Baxenden playing mostly Saturdays, he was happy to be snapped up by them.

"I am pleased to come here. They have helped me settle in and have already christened me ‘Del Boy’ so they have measured me up! We seem to have a strong team here and I have been reading up on how we have done the last few years.

"We want to win the league first and foremost and any cup success would be a bonus and I think we will do alright. We get to have a look at champions Blackburn Northern tomorrow so we can see what they are like."

Purser works for his dad’s company during the week, supplying fertiliser and the like to sports grounds - including the local cricket grounds - and he has also designed his own cricket bats, pads and kit and it just waiting to get his web-site up and running. He also still plays for Lancashire Seconds when needed. "I will just have to see what happens and if it all takes off," he said, with Baxenden facing Cherry Tree on Sunday.

Great Harwood also got off to a winning start although theirs was a narrow one wicket win over Edenfield in a tight finish.

Stuart Maher and Paul Houldsworth took three wickets each in Edenfield’s 106 and then Harwood had to fend off reliable pro Baber Naeem. It looked like Edenfield had secured the win but last pair Paul Newton and Maher provided stubborn resistance to steer the title hopefuls to an opening day victory. Harwood are up against Whalley and Read this weekend.

OSWALDTWISTLE IMMANUEL slipped to a 43-run defeat to Cherry Tree. Andrew Metcalf top scored with 16 in their 92 as they chased 125. Imran Abid took 4-28 for Ossy. Gerard Metcalf’s side are at home to Ribblesdale Wanderers and travel to Settle in this weekend’s double header.

- HARWOOD are out of the LCB Knockout Trophy after suffering a six wicket loss to Prestwich on Sunday.