BRANDON Hiini is sure Enfield can shock a few people this season even though he leaves the club next month.

The New Zealander got his first call-up for his country for the Emerging Nations side and will quit England on June 23, leaving Enfield needing a sub pro for the rest of the campaign.

But the professional has helped them to make a decent start to the summer - and he is confident his team-mates will continue without him.

He was disappointed after his side launched a staggering fightback chasing Accrington’s high scoring 273 on Sunday - but they fell an agonising three runs short in the local derby.

Yet the Dill Hall Laners are still in a good position in the league, have a Worsley Cup quarter-final this weekend - where they have an Accrington re-match- and begin the defence of their 20/20 crown tonight.

"It’s funny as, when you read people’s tips for the title and things like that, no one ever mentions Enfield," said Hiini.

"But, being from New Zealand, you do get used to that. Our country are underdogs in the Test but they have surprised a few people and I am sure Enfield can do the same.

"We won the 20/20 last year and not really a lot was made of it but you actually have to win more games in that than you do to win the Worsley Cup.

"The Worsley Cup is special though and it was hard as we got knocked out by East Lancs in the first round last year.

"But you do only have to win four games to win it - although we have got to get past Accrington tomorrow first."

That is a big revenge mission for Enfield after they came so close on Sunday in what was a thriller.

David Bracewell’s side looked out of it after Graham Lloyd (55), Matt Wilson (55) and pro Roy Silva (57) all got half-tons to amass the biggest score of the season for the Thorneyholme Road side.

But Mashooq Ahmed (65) got Enfield off to a good start while Chris Maudsley’s 43 and a 39 from Andy Barker gave Accrington the jitters.

Captain Bracewell made them sweat a bit more with 21 as Enfield got within touching distance.

They needed 14 off the final over, hit a six off the penultimate ball and needed five to win off the last ball.

They couldn’t manage it but the noisy crowd - with the game sponsored by the Accrington Stanley Ultras fans - had seen a good spectacle of cricket.

And all-rounder Hiini is sure the side will have more wins than losses - even when he has gone.

"The club is in safe hands without me. Keith Barker will get better and better and there are a lot of good players at the club.

"We have started off quite well but we know it is early days yet. This time last year we were at the top of the table and there was talk of winning the league. Then I think we had seven defeats in a row.

"But this season has been good so far and me and Keith have worked well together bowling and it is a shame I have to head home. But I am sure they will carry on without me.

"We have a mixture of young and old players here and I think a few club’s are envious of our junior set-up. We have from Under 11s upwards and so the future looks good for Enfield in the next five or ten years."

He admits, though, everything has not gone to plan on the pitch personally for him during his second campaign in the Lancashire League.

"I have had a couple of five wicket hauls which I am happy with but I wish I could have got more runs. I can’t seem to buy a run at the moment and it is really frustrating.

"I still have a few games left though and it will be nice to sign off with a century in at least one of them."

Hiini is proud to be called up for his country’s tour of Australia and is excited at the prospect of his debut.

"I got a phone call about a month ago. I knew I would have a chance of making the squad before Christmas as, with retirements, I knew the selectors were looking at me.

"I had a good season back home but I came here not knowing what will happen. You never think you are in until you get the phone call.

"And I do have mixed feelings. I came back here, I felt, with a point to prove and now I don’t really get the chance to prove it.

"But this is a great opportunity for me."

He admits he has been trying to help fix up a replacement and has been in contact with Kiwi one-day man Jesse Ryder.

"He is playing in the One-Day Series which will finish in June so he is free after that so that could happen."

Accrington off-spinner Paul Carroll took his first five wicket haul of the season in the derby while prolific David Ormerod tops the wicket taking charts with 27 already this season.

And he will be onthe hunt for more after they meet Enfield in the cup and then face champions Rishton on Sunday who re-found their form last weekend.

It has been a stop-start season for Andy Bartley’s side but they saw off local rivals CHURCH in another high scoring derby clash.

Church set a tough target after Alec Holt hit 77 (with seven boundaries) and pro Niel Bredenkamp chipped in with 59 in their 222-3.

However they came up against Saeed Anwar Junior in formidable form as he hit 114 from 98 balls. Opener Richard Rostron also got 73 - with nine fours - in their eight wicket win.

Enfield travel to East Lancs on Sunday while Church tackle Ramsbottom.