Accrington have got to prove they have the bouncebackability after losing their first league game of the campaign and crashing out of the Worsley Cup.

The Thorneyholme Road side had made a solid start to the season as they looked to make it three league titles in four seasons.

But they have hit a slight stutter, losing to league leaders and defending champions Ramsbottom on Saturday followed by a first round cup loss against Todmorden, in the only cup game played due to the weather on Sunday.

"It was a bad weekend for us and we just have to hope that’s all it was," said skipper Jimmy Hayhurst.

"I guess that’s why Ramsbottom are champions in that they win the close games – which is something we did when we won our last two titles.

"But we didn’t help ourselves as we were sloppy, dropped a few catches and probably gave them 20 runs too many which in the end proved costly."

Ramsbottom made 189-7 with Accrington professional Ashar Zaidi taking 3-64.

Wickets then fell at regular intervals before pro Zaidi made a stunning ton smashing 13 boundaries and two sixes from 94 balls.

However, when he went to Rams’ skipper Jon Fielding, the Accrington resistance disappeared and they fell narrowly short.

Zaidi’s performance won the praise of Fielding who described it as ‘the best innings I have seen.’

He said: "He played patiently, hit the big shots when he had too, looked in control and it was one of the best innings I have witnessed."

And Hayhurst echoed the sentiments of his Pakistan pro who has hit two tons so far in the early campaign.

"He is the find of the season," said Hayhurst. "I don’t think anyone else can compete with him among professionals at the moment as he, touch wood, has everything.

"He is scoring runs, taking wickets, he is easy to deal with for me as a captain as he works his socks off, he talks to the younger players and he is no problem.

"The only thing is that the amateurs are not supporting him and he can’t do it all on his own.

"If we can match his work-rate we won’t be far off and that’s what we have got to do every game."

Accrington are hoping to have Graham Lloyd back – who was umpiring a first-class match between Surrey and Sussex last weekend – and Mitch Taylor returning from injury for this weekend’s derby clash with Church.

Church were tipped by many to be up among the top teams with their pro Saeed Anwar and a bunch of solid players.

They have though so far won three and lost three but Hayhurst thinks they will come good.

"Church are a decent side and were one of my tips to do well this season.

"I saw their scores pre-season and they were destroying teams. I am surprised to see they have lost a few but they have some excellent players and a good professional.

"To be honest, the table is a bit of a surprise so far apart from Ramsbottom.

"Bacup (who finished bottom last season) are doing well without having changed many players, they have changed their system and it works for them, and so are Lowerhouse.

"But sometimes new captains come in with different ideas and ways of doing things and it helps teams.

"But the gap between the top and the bottom teams has closed. There are some teams over the years you expect a hiding off or expect to beat but that’s no longer the case – that is what makes it interesting.

"We lost to Ramsbottom but picked up five bonus points, and even though we dropped from top to third, we are still in there."

Hayhurst admitted the Todmorden eight-wicket cup defeat was a blow after they beat the Centre Vale side in the final in 2008.

"Ever since then, in the league and the cup, they seem to have had a hoodoo over us.," added the Accrington skipper. "Saying that, again we didn’t score enough runs and we could have done a lot better – it was just a bad weekend."

Church, who had a bye in the Worsley Cup, will also be keen to bounce back after their controversial league loss to Lowerhouse on Saturday.

Early title-chasers Lowerhouse made 158-8, with Church pro Anwar taking 5-53. The rain meant a reduced target with Levi Wolfenden (23) and skipper Craig Fergusson (19) giving them a steady start but, when another shower stopped play, it was a debacle as the officials debated a new revised target.

In the meantime, more rain meant Church finished on 93-8 – 23 runs short.

Fergusson, who was disappointed at the umpires on Saturday, has not been included in the Church team for Sunday’s clash with Sam Tucker taking over as skipper.

ENFIELD came up against a Bacup side who finished with the wooden spoon last season but have started this season well.

Rain too affected this game with Bacup setting Enfield 158 to win from 36 overs.

Pro Werner Coetsee continued his decent formwith 6-50 – with four of these wickets coming in the final over for no runs.

But it was a poor batting day for the Dill Hall Laners as they slumped to 76-9.

A late stand of 35 between Hassan Fazal (22) and Alex Whittaker (15) earned Enfield a bonus point at least.

Rishton are still looking for their first victory of the season but they finally got some points on the board as they keep missing out in close matches.

Rawtenstall secured a one-wicket win but it was agony for Rishton as they came so close.

Their target of 199 looked decent as Shaun Wyse (73) and professional Cameron Delport (54) put on a 99 run second wicket stand. Skipper Jimmy Bibby also chipped in with 23.

Delport took 5-72 while Garth Wyse 3-60 almost swung the game in Rishton’s favour but the Valley side just held on as Rishton couldn’t get the last wicket.