ACCRINGTON professional Roy Silva will return to the Worsley Cup winners next season.

The Sri Lankan has agreed terms after helping Accrington pick up their first piece of silverware in 22 years.

"He has had a few offers from the Central Lancashire League and other clubs but he has said Accrington are his first club in England and he wants to come back," said chairman Rod Kenyon.

"He seems thrilled and we are absolutely thrilled.

"He has settled in really well, he is learning the language - still! - and he has been a breath of fresh air for us.

"He is a great lad on and off the field and has been no trouble - all his team-mates are pleased.

"He got a century in the Worsley Cup to help us win that and we could still do the double. We are all delighted."

It makes Accrington the second Hyndburn club to snap up their professional as Enfield have pro Gary Brent returning.

And the Zimbabwean continued to be in the wickets with nine at the weekend as his side won one and lost one.

They saw off Haslingden on Saturday but only thanks to a massive collapse by the Valley side who lost nine wickets for nine runs.

Brent had top scored with 50 in Enfield’s 165 and he followed it up with six wickets while Simon O’Loughlin grabbed four.

But on Sunday they struggled against Bacup after 71 from Lanehead pro Chris Harris guided them to a 24 run win. Keith Barker top scored with 53 for Enfield.

It’s a local derby with Rishton tomorrow followed by their home clash with Bacup.

CHURCH also won one and lost one. They dented Nelson’t title hopes with a 79-run win with Niel Bredenkamp top-scoring with 31 on Saturday. Andy Bentley took six wickets as Nelson collapsed to 66 all out. But on Sunday, title chasing Lowerhouse got the better of them in a 86-run loss. It’s Haslingden and Lowerhouse for Church this weekend.

And there was more gloom at Rishton with a double loss weekend as the champions struggle to keep off the bottom spot.

They lost to Ramsbottom who had picked up 208 runs in a rain-affected game. Pro Saeed Anwar, still discussing whether he will return next season, top scored with an unbeaten 48 in the 31-run defeat.

Then Rawtenstall boosted their title hopes by seeing off Rishton by six wickets - Sam Hacking’s 41 was not enough. Rishton face Enfield then Rawtenstall.