It may only be early in the season but wicketkeeper Sam Tucker thinks the next month could be a defining one in Church’s season.

At the moment the West End side are challenging on three fronts with the Twenty20 tonight, the Worsley Cup tomorrow and second in the Foster’s Lancashire League.

But Tucker, the hero on Monday as a late unbeaten 20 saw off Hyndburn rivals Rishton, believes this could be a make or break time.

"It’s all good at the moment and it’s always fun to be playing when you are winning," said the 27-year-old.

"But the Twenty20 games come thick and fast this month, it’s the cup tomorrow where we have a tough game against Haslingden and we face some of the top sides in Ramsbottom twice and Lowerhouse in the next four weeks in the league.

"We could either still be challenging on three fronts or out of two and slipping down the league.

"It’s only early days and certainly no one is getting too carried away at Church although it is nice to look at the table and see us in second place."

Church record wicket taker Tucker, who has delayed a job in Hong Kong to play the season with Church, says he has made the right decision to stay in the UK.

"If I was sat in Hong Kong reading on the internet that Church were second in the league and I wasn’t part of it, I would be really frustrated.

"I love the club, love playing for Church and it was certainly the right decision, no matter what anyone else thinks!"

Church, who had a bye in the first round of the competition this season, reached the final of the Worsley Cup last year before losing to Ramsbottom as they look to win a major trophy for the first time since 1974.

"The Worsley Cup is special," said Tucker. "It’s the main fixture you look out for when the fixtures come out and, weather permitting, it will be a good weekend for us.

"Saying that, Haslinden’s pro Harry Boam sub-pro’d for us when Luke Woodcock was delayed a couple of seasons ago and he is an energetic New Zealander who we certainly rate.

"They are a good, young side and I also rate their young left hander Jack Taylor while Lewis McIntosh has been strong for them and I think it will be a fantastic game to be involved in and watch.

"They have a range of bowlers and we do too so it should be a good one."

Boam will not be under-estimating Church as Haslingden look to win the Worsley Cup for the first time since 1997.

"We’ve got lots of young players so I think we’ve got the makings of a good side," said New Zealander Boam.

"It may take a couple of years to achieve something but you never know, if we get on a roll we can get a jump on other teams.

"Church are going well so I’m sure it’ll be a tough game.

"But if we play well we know we can compete with them because we’ve had a couple of good Twenty20 wins and beat Todmorden in the first round of the Worsley Cup. It’s just a case of turning up tomorrow and making sure we string something good together."

Tucker was the hero against Rishton on Monday but was a reluctant one and he is hoping he has a quieter weekend.

"I hope I am sat without my pads on tomorrow and am not needed!" said the wicketkeeper.

"But, while I stole the show on Monday, the real heroes were Saeed (Anwar) and Lloyd (Aspin).

"They took the game away from Rishton in around 30 minutes with some excellent batting after we had lost two wickets.

"It did swing back in Rishton’s favour as their pro Daniel Salpietro and Ali Sartaj bowled brilliantly.

"I have come in a few times when we have needed runs but needing 30 with one wicket left, we looked dead and buried.

"Thankfully we got over the line and those are the close games you really enjoy winning – and hate losing.

"We know it’s only early in the season and now, with the top sides playing each other, it will be an interesting next few weeks."