Church captain Craig Fergusson is out to make sure his side don’t have the ‘bitter taste’ of cup final defeat again tonight.
Church travel to Ramsbottom in the Twenty20 final having lost to the Rams in 2010 in the same competition and last year in the Worsley Cup showdown.
"We have experienced what it is like to be beaten and it leaves a bitter taste in the mouth.
"We don’t want it for a third time."
Fergusson admitted the prize wicket will be that of Rams pro Pieter Malan whose 165 in the Twenty20 Group stages against Rawtenstall was a league – and maybe world – record.
"He is a key wicket for us obviously," said Fergusson. "He is in good form with the bat and got a century against Accrington on Sunday.
"But our pro Saaed Anwar is just as keen to help us win a trophy after a long wait so it’s all set up to be a good game – weather permitting."
The rain has played havoc with the cricket season so far – especially the Twenty20 with the group stages decided on a bowl out or toss of a coin at times.
But both semi-finals went ahead last week with Anwar making 67 in their 41-run semi-final win over Haslingden last Friday while Ramsbottom saw off Todmorden.
While both teams are in form in this competition, they have both slipped up in the league with Church losing to unbeaten leaders Lowerhouse on Sunday while Ramsbottom lost to Accrington.
"League form goes out the window in this final," said Fergusson. "It’s just a massive one-off game for us where we want everyone to perform to the best of their abilities.
"We may be up against it as the weather forecast isn’t good but we are ready to fight."
It’s not Church’s only chance of silverware though as they are through to the semi-finals of the Worsley Cup.
They faced Accrington on Saturday but, after Accy made 104-2 the game was abandoned with 23.4 overs gone – less than the allotted 25 – and so it will be start again on August 4.
"It was the umpires decision at the end of the day and it was out of our control even though I think Jimmy (Hayhurst, Accrington captain) would have waited all night for a break in the weather," said Fergusson.
"It’s a big game for both teams as whoever wins gets home advantage in the final and, having hosted a final last year, we know what impact it can have on a club in terms of finances."
