THERE'S going to be some hard work put in by Enfield's management team next February as they try and make sure their high-flying team stick together.
Enfield were the highest placed Hyndburn team bouncing back from finishing second off bottom last season into fifth spot this summer and they also made the Inter League Trophy final, where they lost to East Lancs.
But the team could split up as former Lancashire bowler Bernard Reidy turns 53 this month and has said he will now retire.
Enfield are hoping he may just change his mind after taking 55 wickets on his return to the Dill Hall Lane side this season.
Neil Holmes is another they are hoping will play on after the 34-year-old took 24 wickets this summer.
"There is going to have to be some arm-twisting in February," said captain David Bracewell. "We hope we have done enough so Andy Barker will play on and Mas Ahmed will carry on forever but Neil, we might have to bend his arm, and if Bernard goes it will be a big loss to us.
"It is losing 50 wickets and he seems to help us attract a big crowd who have been brilliant this season. They have kept us going and they have made a difference.
"Bernard said it was his last game but maybe we can persuade him..."
It has been an enjoyable season at Enfield. They moved to the top of the league early on but lost pro Alviro Petersen for a month as he was on South Africa duty and they dropped down the table. Petersen then went home early.
But they enjoyed a double win last weekend to finish in fifth place - and while doing that they also denied Bacup the title on a dramatic final day as the Lanehead side lost at Dill Hall Lane and Burnley won and the title went to Turf Moor.
"We got our revenge over East Lancs on Saturday and then we just wanted to win our final game whoever it was," said the captain. "But, when you look at the statistics, Burnley's season has been more of a team game.
"We always give Bacup a hard game at Enfield and they were under a lot of pressure. Then Andy Barker (71) and Neil Holmes (22) won us the game."
Holmes also took 6-61 including the vital wicket of Bacup pro Chris Cairns.
The captain continued: "Our amateurs have done well this season as we haven't had a regular pro and they have helped us win the majority of the games.
"If someone had said at the start of the season, we would finish fifth and reach the final of a trophy we would have snatched their hands off so we have got to be happy - and improve again next season."
Petersen will not be returning to Enfield.
