No favours from Bacup in title race

Bacup could perhaps have the biggest say on who wins the Lancashire League title – but skipper Tim Farragher says there will be no favours.

Despite having little to play for except pride, Bacup face title challengers Lowerhouse, Todmorden and Enfield in three of their final four games.

But, as they showed against Church on Sunday, they will do everything to play the games and will compete hard in every one to make sure none of the title favourites gets an advantage – which will be music to the ears of Enfield and Church and their own title hopes.

"We played Church on Sunday and it wasn’t really fit but we knew they were keen to play and we left it to the umpires to decide and I said I would go with their decision," said Bacup skipper Farragher.

"The umpires said yes and we were happy to go along with that, even though it is pot luck sometimes with umpires and captains as to whether games go ahead as everyone thinks differently and I am sure some wouldn’t have played that game.

"But we knew how much Church wanted to play and we did give 100 per cent despite getting beat.

"On the day we were beaten by a pro, Saeed Anwar, who had a superb game while our sub pro Dale Deeb – as I have said many times this season about our sub-pros – wasn’t able to win the game for us.

"But Church won fair and square and that gave them a lift and we will be going out against both Lowerhouse tomorrow and Enfield in the final game of the season to win. We will protect the integrity of the league as we are heavily involved in who could win the title race, even though it’s not us, and would expect other teams to do the same if it was the other way around.

"We owe it to all the teams and we will be giving our best in whatever circumstances and making sure we will be competitive to the last run and the last wicket.

"There will certainly be plenty of spice in the games which will make them entertaining for us."

Bacup were still sorting out the sub-pros for the final four league clashes but had organised Edenfield pro Paul Gallagher for their final day clash with Enfield.