HE CAN'T speak a lot of English, but Roy Silva’s smile said it all.

The Sri Lankan entered the unknown when he came to Accrington as professional this season - a club which, after a 162-year history, almost went out of existence because of finances last year.

After finishing bottom last time, a top five spot was beyond most people’s wildest expectations and a small run in the cup would help their cash flow problems.

But the Accrington team Silva is marshalling have gone all the way - and ended 22 -years without a trophy by winning the prestigious Worsley Cup on Sunday.

And the 28-year-old, who hit a stunning 111 from 107 balls to help his side to victory at Todmorden, could not stop smiling as he lifted the held aloft the trophy.

"It is very good," he said, via translator Paul Carroll. "22 years without a trophy is a long time and it is only my first season here.

"It was one step to win a trophy and the next step is to win two with the league.

"They are all good men here although captain David Ormerod is my best man!"

Ormerod, who was in his fourth Worsley Cup final after winning one with former club Bacup, admitted: "Roy never stops smiling - he is great for the club.

"He is a typical Asian player in that he likes to hit the ball as hard as he can and he has been brilliant for us. He can’t speak a lot of English - but he can party!"

There were wild scenes of jubiliation at the end as the 1000-strong crowd - with gate receipts of £3,214 - celebrated league leaders Accrington’s win.

Ormerod admitted: "It is mind-blowing what has happened.

"We are all ecstastic especially after finishing bottom of the league last season and we were close to going under.

"It is brilliant for everyone involved with the club from the players to the backroom staff to the supporters, who have stuck with us through thick and thin.

"I am not letting this cup go out of my hands! It is a very proud moment for me and it is long due back at Accrington."

Somehow it did have the feeling it would be Accrington’s day.

Todmorden were hoping they could upset the formbook and get revenge after Accrington beat them the last time the Thorneyholme Road side won the cup - in 1986.

And at 11-2 and then 46-3 chairman Rod Kenyon admitted the nerves were jangling a bit in the Accy side.

Opener Matt Wilson made a quick exit - bowled by Mo Bux - and Paul Carroll was soon with him followed by Graham Sneddon, who was upset at his decision, for a tricky start for the Accrington team.

But Stuart Crabtree showed his skills and his 41 was vital in steadying the ship and, with Silva there and ex-England batsman Graham Lloyd still to come, there was always the feeling there was plenty of runs to come from Accrington.

"I will take a 180 total," said Ormerod, as he paced around the Centre Vale ground during his side’s innings. "Any more and I will be happy."

Silva obviously heard him and wanted to please his skipper although Tod will be kicking themselves for dropping the Sri Lankan when he was on 46.

Crabtree was well caught by pro Gulam Bodi and in came Lloyd, the man who had saved Accrington the day before against Bacup and helped them extend their lead to 21 points at the top of the table.

Lloyd is a calm head and he stroked the ball around the ground with a range of shots while Silva went for the big hits and the pair forged a strong partnership to boost the score.

"Graham has a wonderful knack of accumulating runs," said Ormerod. "By the time he has come out and I have walked around the ground, I looked up and he had got 20 on the board without any big shots.

"He uses his experience well and is a second set of eyes for me. He is superb to have around."

The pair amassed 119-runs together - an entertaining knock for all the Accrington fans - before Lloyd fell at 59 in 64 balls to a comfortable catch for Jon Henderson.

Not to be outdone though 17-year-old Toby Bulcock came in and carried on where Lloyd had left off - he made 39 from just 22 balls and he and Silva enjoyed a 67-run thrilling partnership.

Silva went but Bulcock stuck at it with Zahir Afzal and, with the overs gone, 290 was a formidable score.

However wicket keeper Matt Wilson said his side still didn’t rest easy.

"We knew it was a good total but Todmorden have chased down a lot of high scores. They chased down 280 against Rawtenstall and 250 against Ramsbottom in the semi-final so we certainly didn’t take anything for granted."

Tod openers Simon Newbitt and Ben Sutcliffe did make a steady start putting on 100 before the first wicket fell although they were always behind the required run rate. Then came in Todmorden’s big hope - pro Bodi - and this was the man to watch.

But Carroll looked ecstatic as Bodi went for a four and Bulcock was on the boundary to pull off a superb catch with the paid man on just 13 - it was a huge scalp.

"I think that settled a lot of nerves," said bowler Damian Clarke. "I think we knew then that we had won it."

A steady procession of wickets followed and the over rate went up and up - getting to 12 an over needed at one stage.

Bulcock, 17, took two in quick succession - to take his tally to three wickets in the final - Silva got in on the act and youngster Simon Hanson took a great catch - although he did rue one that got away to finish the game earlier.

However, Clarke made sure Accrington didn’t have to hang around too long to finish off a quality day by seeing off the last man with Todmorden on 186 and the celebrations began.

"I still can’t believe it," said Lloyd. "It seems unreal. Now let’s get the double."