WHALLEY professional Josh Marquet is hoping the club's underdog status can help lead to further success in the Castlemaine XXXX Ramsbottom Cup.

Whalley stopped the rot after losing all their league games to date by knocking Padiham out in round one on Saturday.

And with a quarter-final clash to come against Baxenden, Marquet is looking to keep the upsets coming.

"In some ways we are in a handy position because every other club thinks we're absolutely rubbish," said the former Tasmanian paceman.

"That might be a mistake if clubs take us too lightly. They might have a few too many beers on a Friday night, which will be good for us.

"From what I've heard Baxenden have already written us off, so they might not even bother turning up."

Padiham might have been lulled into a false sense of security after thumping Whalley in the Ribblesdale League the previous weekend.

Marquet admitted that result had been a wake-up call and after an improved showing against Clitheroe, in which Marquet claimed five wickets the following day, Whalley gained their revenge with a comprehensive 80-run cup success.

The professional struck a crucial blow by removing Padiham paid man Kasif Siddique first ball of Padiham's reply and the visitors then never looked likely to get close to Whalley's 174-6.

Marquet also played a key role in that innings as he top-scored with 47, including three sixes, in a productive fourth-wicket stand with Lee Kearsley.

And the 34-year-old Australian, with a highest first-class score of 10, admitted that his new middle-order role is giving himself something fresh to think about.

"I'm enjoying the new challenge," he said. "I'm not getting any younger and I'm used to going in at 10 and 11 and having a bit of a slog.

"I'm the first to admit I'm not any type of batsman, but I'm enjoying trying to learn a new trade."

And Whalley, likely to miss ex-Great Harwood batsman Richard Lamb for up to six weeks through injury, certainly look to be in need of a few runs from their paid man if they are to make an impression in the league.

The amateurs have found it hard going so far, although Marquet can see light at the end of the tunnel.

"We've had a bad start, but I think our batting order is quite good. We have got some experienced players, who are just taking a bit of time to get into it," he said.

Marquet will also shoulder the wicket-taking responsibility, although swing bowler Lee Burgess impressed when picking up three wickets against Padiham and skipper Mark Whelan has brought himself back into the attack.

A prolific wicket-taker in two spells as professional at Chorley, Marquet returned to Lancashire this summer following a season with Norwich in the East of England Premier League.

With his wife looking to return to the Clitheroe area for the birth of their child, Marquet e-mailed clubs notifying them of his availability and duly ended up at Station Road.

"I want to take as many wickets as I can, although I'm not really setting any targets.

"I want to make a healthy contribution to the club and help us improve. Hopefully I can bring a few young players on and help us win some more games," he said.