LANCASHIRE LEAGUE FIXTURES
Sunday (1.15pm start)
CHURCH expect their new professional Ruven Peiris to break their club batting record this season.
Australian Greg Mail came close to smashing the 1990 record of 1250 league runs before a back injury forced him to go home early last season.
But chairman Don Holt is confident the Sri Lankan can go that one step further this campaign and rewrite the Church history books.
"He is confident," said the chairman. "In fact he says he will hit a century against Nelson in the opening game!"
It is a big boast but Church are looking forward to watching the 33-year-old smash his way around the Lancashire League grounds
"He says he will bat all afternoon and it is up to the teams to get him out! He says he will not let anyone down."
Peiris arrived yesterday and is already creating a bit of a stir. He had been a professional at Middleton in the Central Lancashire League for the last few years but suffered a cruciate ligament injury last year and had to return home.
"I have had three phone calls from Middleton asking when we are playing so they can come and watch him," continued the chairman.
"He has fully recovered from his injury and played six games for his side back home - with three centuries, and a 50-odd and 40-odd in those!"
It is a relatively young side at Church and the chairman is just hoping Peiris will bring the youngsters on - and they will finish better than the tenth spot they ended last season in.
"I would say six of our side are under 21 so we expect Ruvin will put the house in order and help these youngsters. I hope for a top half of the table finish and the semi-final of a cup."
"I think we will do okay in the cups although we have got Middleton away - Ruven's old club - in the Inter League competition and Bacup away in the Worsley Cup."
The chairman thinks the title will be between favourites Nelson and East Lancs although he does tip Lowerhouse for an outside chance.
Meanwhile, Church have lost John Seedle who has gone pro-ing at Stand and Thomas O'Neill to Enfield.
