CRICKET: RISHTON captain Andy Bartley has been telling his team-mates about the winning feeling - and he hopes that will spur them on to title success this season.
With nine games left, the Blackburn Road side are still in pole position, 24 points clear and eyeing their first league crown since 1996.
And vice captain Scott Greaves says the older members of the squad, including Bartley and John Seedle, are making a title win even more appealing.
"They keep telling us about the feeling they had when they won the league the last time," said Greaves.
"They said there is no better feeling than winning the league and we all want that feeling now."
Greaves is a former skipper of the Rishton side but had a year out when his son was born last season.
But the 31-year-old returned this summer and has helped Rishton become a table topping side.
"I enjoyed my year out with my son but I missed cricket, as it is something I have done since I was little.
"I came back and I have known Andy Bartley a long time and he asked me to be vice captain as I was just a shoulder to lean on.
"He is getting all the glory at the moment and Andy is a good captain.
"He is very level headed and the fact he is behind the stumps means he gets a good view of everything going on and he reads the game well.
"He is calm because he has been there before but we are all enjoying it so far."
Greaves puts the success of this season down to a team effort and says the togetherness of the squad has surprised him on his return.
"A lot of other teams have commented on it, on how we are playing as a team," he said.
"We have always been a good side and we have been together years but this year it has all come together.
"Both the pro, Saeed Anwar Junior, and Andy have installed a real team spirit - that everything has to be done as a team - and it is paying off.
"In the last four or five games, I don't think the pro has scored over 10 runs in a game but that is where the other players have been chipping in.
"It has helped that we have all been playing together for a long time and perhaps finally we have all understood each others game and what to expect from each other."
It has still been a hard season and there has been plenty of frustration with abandoned games because of the weather - although this could have worked to Rishton's advantage.
"We have had four abandoned games and I guess it would have been interesting if they had been played.
"Who knows what would have happened. But we are in a good position now and I am just looking forward to the run-in.
"There are no nerves so far as we are just taking it one game at a time.
"We all know what we are capable of, what to expect and the oppostition so hopefully we can just carry on doing what we have been."
And they daren't even think of throwing it away now - and the side have formulated a plan for the final nine games.
"We have got together and come up with a battle plan. We are trying to put things in perspective.
"A lot of us haven't been in this situation before and we have got to stay positive - and I think we will.
"I am certainly enjoying this season and am glad I came back. I am not sure what the future will hold although perhaps I should retire at the top if we win the title!"
Rishton, who are at home to Bacup on Sunday, were the victim of the weather again on Saturday as their clash with Haslingden was rained off with the Rossendale side on 64-2.
However Church upset Enfield's late bid for the title as their derby was the only game to be finished on Saturday.
Captain Phil Sykes felt his young side were beginning to gel and pro Ruvin Peiris and bowler Andrew Bentley piled the pressure on the Dill Hall Laners.
Enfield were struggling at 43-5 but Mas Ahmed (23) and captain David Bracewell (17 not out) took the score to 84-6 after they finished their 31 overs.
Peiris (21) - who will leave Church at the end of the season - and Sagawat Hussain (27) gave them a solid start but then Bernard Reidy made it 39 wickets for the season with 4-28 and Brandon Hiini got in on the act as the wickets fell.
However, the Blackburn Road side passed the mark with two overs to spare and have moved out of the bottom two for first time since the end of May.
Enfield face Nelson on Sunday - who haven't finished a game since mid-June - while Church are at Colne looking to carry on moving up the league.
ACCRINGTON'S clash against Rawtenstall was abandoned. Rawtenstall were 118-2 after 34 overs and Accrington had begun the chase at 17-2 before rain spoilt the day.
The bottom club travel to Todmorden on Sunday.
l East Lancs were the victors in the Worsley Cup final on Sunday after seeing off Bacup by five wickets at Alexandra Meadows.
