NICK Westwell collected his 700th Lancashire League scalp on Sunday - but he is not sure if there will be an 800th.

The prolific Church bowler notched up the landmark when he took the wicket of John Turner in their win over East Lancs - the only game to beat the thunderstorms on Sunday.

The 46-year-old, who made his Lancashire league debut in 1975, knew he had hit the big target - but he admitted it was a long time coming.

"I knew the next wicket was my 700th - I don't think many other people did - but I hadn't taken a league wicket in a while," said Westwell who has six wickets this season.

"I haven't bowled well at all in the last six or seven games and it is the first bad spell I have had for about four years so I was really pleased to just get a wicket!

"But I am delighted to have got so many. The wickets have been hard this season and they are not what I am used to but you have just got to get on with it.

"I will always give 100 per cent no matter what I do but I don't know for how long anymore.

"If I will still be playing to get to my 800th league wicket is a good question as I just don't know."

Westwell is now concentrating on the coaching side and he admits this is taking over. He is a cricket coach at Rossendale Leisure Trust and he is now hoping to bring the next generation of cricketers through.

"Recently, when I haven't been getting the wickets, I have heard the crowd shouting "you should retire, Westy".

"I have no plans to unless the job takes over and I must admit, it has begun to. We have worked hard on cricket in Rossendale and my job is to manage the Under 11 town team, get the players into clubs and hopefully see them have trials and move onto Lancashire. I have four guys who have moved onto Lancashire this year.

"It is a big reward and I enjoy doing it so, if the coaching commitments take over, then I will be forced to retire. I am 46 and feel all my 46 years at the moment!"

Looking back on his wickets, Westwell has some special memories.

"My most prized one is Mark Waugh when he was playing for East Lancs and he went on to play many Tests for Australia.

"But I also took the wicket of a very young Freddie Flintoff when he was playing for St Annes against Church in a friendly. He was only 16 and I got him for nought, caught behind.

"Saying that, the season after we played them again and he made 123 not out and he hit me all over the ground. I think he got about eight sixes. Everyone was laughing but they kept telling me to stick with it and I couldn't get him out. I lost all my balls and they had to stop the game! But looking at where he has gone onto, it wasn't bad really!"

He admits this season has been a low point as Church are struggling at the bottom end of the table.

"It has been so frustrating. I have been critical of our younger players and I feel some of them don't have the application. To be in the Lancashire League and do well you need application and dedication and I don't think some of the younger players have it and I don't know how they can get it - it is a personal thing. It is missing and it is disappointing.

"We have talked about it but we need the younger players to come through now.

"The season before last we finished runners-up in the league but we were relying on five of our senior players who all had a good season. I think if five of your players do have good seasons then teams can make it into the top four."

And Westwell knows there is still all to play for in the league despite Church's lowly position.

"The league is so close - if any one team from the top to the bottom wins their next six games they will be in the top four or even the top two," said Westwell.

"I personally think Bacup will win the league title as a lot of people have been impressed with Chris Cairns and what he has done at the club. He really wants to win the league and he can probably win it on his own.

"But we have to hope we have now turned a corner."

East Lancs set a target of 206 but Ruven Peiris (63) and captain Phil Sykes (38 not out) saw Church through in a reduced target because of the rain.

Accrington will have been relieved the downpour halted their game at Bacup with bowler David Ormerod facing his old club on Sunday. Accrington made just 63 with Cairns taking 4-15 and the New Zealander was 28 not out when rain stopped play.

Rishton opener John Cordingley (53 not out) and sub pro Arno Jacobs (49 not out) steered their side to 139 against Burnley but that game was then halted.

And title challengersEnfield couldn't make any ground at the top as they were 90-3 against Rawtenstall when the heavens opened.

Enfield will be hoping they can chalk up wins over Nelson and Colne this weekend to overtake leaders Ramsbottom.

Accrington travel to Todmorden and then face Nelson in their bid to close in on the top two while Rishton are at home to Bacup and then make the trip to Lowerhouse with new pro Lachlan Stevens set for his debut. Meanwhile, Church travel to Colne and face Todmorden in their quest to move off the bottom.