ENFIELD are hoping the signing of Gary Brent for next season will be the catalyst to Lancashire League success.

The club have moved quickly to snap up the Zimbabwean who only came to the club by accident mid-season after regular pro Brandon Hiini was called up to the New Zealand Emerging Nations Squad.

But he has been a revelation with 35 wickets in his eight games so far and 262 runs - and the club hope they can do an Accrington and challenge for the title next summer with him on board.

Not that they are giving up on this campaign’s league hopes just yet - although they are 38 points behind the league leaders with eight games left.

"We will keep going until the end although we have slipped up in recent weeks against the likes of Church and Colne," said captain David Bracewell.

"That’s the frustrating thing - we beat title contenders Rawtenstall one week and then lose to bottom club Colne the next.

"We have slipped up in games we would have expected to win as otherwise we would have been sneaking up behind third placed Nelson.

"There is such a fine line in this league, though, between being successful and not being as you only have to look at Rishton.

"They were champions last season but don’t seem to have had any luck this season while Accrington have everything going for them.

"But with Gary at the club we still want a top five finish this season and we want to finish strongly."

Bracewell admits that he only haspositive things to say about Brent.

"He has been superb so far," continued the captain.

"He was struggling down at Essex before he came to us and couldn’t find his form but since he has arrived here, he has taken at least one wicket - and more like four or five - in every game he has played so far except Church.

"He bowls straight through for us at one end which keeps the score down and makes a difference, leaving the likes of me to chip in at the other end.

"And what has surprised us has been his form with the bat. He wasn’t sure how he would do but he keeps getting at least 40-odd and he won us the game at Rawtenstall.

"We needed 90 off six overs and he scored a quick 50 to help to win the game. He has been a breath of fresh air and his experience has helped."

Brent has played Test cricket and was recommended to Enfield by Brendan McArdle once they realised Hiini was leaving in June.

"You can tell the difference between the two professionals," continued the captain. "No disrespect to Brandon, but Gary has had 80-odd Tests and Brandon is just starting his career in First Class cricket and there is a massive difference.

"Gary is quiet but goes about his business and helps us do the simple things correctly.

"He is full of enthusiasm and is coaching the kids when he can and is staying through the winter and will probably get a training programme worked out for us.

"He has more authority than me to tell the lads to turn up for winter training! They never listen to me.

"Hopefully it will help us have a stronger season next summer and it should make a big difference having him here for the full season."

But Brent will have to make sure Enfield’s stop their indifferent form against lower opposition as they suffered a surprise loss to bottom club Colne on Sunday, who chalked up on their fourth win of the campaign.

Colne set a target of 189 with Brent once more taking four wickets but he was outshone by youngster Simon O’Loughlin who got five.

The Dill Hall Laners got off to a good start with Mas Ahmed making 44 and Andy Barker 42 but, apart from Brent’s 22, no one else got into double figures and they fell 26 runs short to drop to eighth place.

It was a case of after the Lord Mayor’s show for Worsley Cup winners Accrington as fellow title chasers Nelson celebrated the double over them.

Accrington’s 172 looked a decent amount with Graham Lloyd once again coming up with the goods with 47, well supported by Toby Bulcock (33).

However they struggled against the Nelson batsmen and main threat Craig McMillan - who had taken seven wickets to see off the Thorneyholme Road side - hit a vital 60 in their win.

Prolific wicket taker McMillan plays his last games for Nelson this weekend before returning home to New Zealand.

CHURCH moved up to ninth in the table with a seven wicket win over Todmorden.

Sub pro Jean Symes, the South African paid man at Norden, celebrated five wickets and then he made 87 in 66 balls as Church chased 134. Symes replaced Niel Bredenkamp who was ill but expected back this weekend.

And champions RISHTON recorded only their fourth league victory of the campaign to dent Lowerhouse’s title hopes in a close game.

Rishton made 127 in their reduced 31-over match with John Seedle top scorer on 44 and a rare single figure for pro Saeed Anwar Junior who got just two.

But the Pakistan paid man then excelled with the ball taking six wickets as Rishton won by just 11 runs.

It is a double header weekend with top v bottom in Accrington v Colne and then David Ormerod’s title hopefuls are up against Ramsbottom on Sunday.

Enfield face Haslingden and Bacup while Church have a difficult weekend against in-form Nelson and Lowerhouse. Rishton come up against Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall.