JOE Scuderi can't wait to get the sun on his back and watch his NELSON side warm to their task of competing for the Lancashire League title.
Last weekend saw the two sides of Nelson as they beat the champions East Lancs at home but then lost away to Rawtenstall. However, former Lancashire county all-rounder Scuderi is confident that they will settle to the job in hand, starting at Rishton tomorrow.
"We just didn't play well on Sunday after we had done well the day before, but it is still early days," said Scuderi.
"After last season we have got to feel we have a good chance, but it is all really about getting down to playing some games and some good cricket."
The Seedhill club were third behind East Lancs and Haslingden last season, but with some impressive young talent and Scuderi having taken amateur status to bring in former West Indies Test pace bowler Cameron Cuffy, Nelson will want to make an impact.
Cuffy took a five-wicket haul against East Lancs last weekend and Scuderi feels things can only get better.
"Cameron bowled very well on Saturday, but I think he is struggling to cope with the damp and cold - as are the rest of us," said the Italian international.
"I took amateur status mainly because I didn't want to have to bowl this season and I am approaching it as a batsman this year - I will bowl only when I am needed.
"But we have got a good enough attack this time round for me to play a back-seat role."
BACUP professional Chris Simpson could really make a name for himself with a good performance at home to East Lancs tomorrow.
Although Bacup won their opening two games last weekend Simpson made little impact. In fact, in the win over Church the two professionals only managed two runs and one wicket between them!
Manager Alick Ormerod said: "It must be difficult for a young Aussie to play in conditions like this but we're confident he will adapt and we need him to adapt tomorrow."
Sid Patel will replace Andy Clague for EAST LANCS tomorrow as they bid to overcome potential title challengers Bacup.
This season's Lancaster professional, South African Rennier Munnik, has been named as sub pro for tomorrow while East Lancs wait for the arrival of Qinton Friend.
Chris Wood and Bobby Horrocks continue to stand in for the injured Brian Taylor and Simon Read as RAMSBOTTOM go to Enfield.
Manager Mike Everett said: "They lost both games like us last weekend but have some very capable players. Losing Brian Taylor is a big blow for us because he's our best batsman."
Captain Mas Ahmed returns to the starting line-up for ENFIELD at Dill Hall Lane tomorrow after missing today's fixture through work commitments.
But several key players will again be missing, which is making it difficult for the Hyndburn club to improve on what Ahmed describes as a disappointing start.
"We've had an inexperienced side out so far and we've struggled," he said.
"But Ramsbottom lost both of their games last weekend so hopefully we'll break our duck this weekend."
Ahmed was, however, boosted by news that their sub professional for tomorrow is Nick Trainer, who played one game for Enfield last season and scored a ton against Haslingden.
"Hopefully he can do that again," he said.
HASLINGDEN are keeping it in the family for their home game against Todmorden.
Former Worcester bowler Duncan Catterall, brother of bowler Stuart, will be the sub professional at Bentgate tomorrow.
Australian paid man Andrew McDonald has a back injury but it only likely to be out for this weekend.
TODMORDEN made changes last weekend for their fixtures but could well keep the same starting eleven from today's game against Rishton with Richard Baigent and Oliver Wood in the line-up.
RAWTENSTALL are hoping new professional Andy Payne continues to justify their decision to promote him.
Last weekend he scored 54 against Rishton and 91, as well as taking three wickets, in the win against Nelson.
Chairman Brian Payne said: "He knows the ground, the wickets and the opposition but lads worked round him last week and that takes the pressure off.
"There's a great team spirit and atmosphere at the moment so its working well already."
Richard Wood and John Dawson will continue to stand in for Keith Roscoe and Andy Riley tomorrow when they go to COLNE, who will draft in West Indian Ryan Nurse as the sub pro.
New signing Andre Adams will be making his way over from New Zealand in time for next weekend's games.
ACCRINGTON will be gunning to complete another successful weekend after last week's double when they travel to Lowerhouse.
The Thorneyholme Road side have a tendency to struggle against Matt Hope's men, but Matt Wilson is confident that his young charges can spring a few surprises.
And in Tama Canning, Wilson believes that Accrington have the best professional in the league.
"He's good to have on the field because he helps all over the park and he seems very switched on," Wilson said.
"He's an excellent all rounder."
LOWERHOUSE skipper Hope is well aware of the threat Canning poses. But they hold no fear going into tomorrow's showdown at Liverpool Road.
"We've got quite a strong side together now and have been excellent so far," he said.
"Accrington haven't beaten us in the last couple of years but they're doing well at the moment and that's what comes of getting a professional who can bat and bowl and Canning is obviously a good all-rounder."
And Hope would love to see both sides challenging for honours.
"We've been reasonably comfortable over the last five or six years, but Accrington have been down near the bottom of the table for a few seasons," he said.
"It would be good for both of us to do well this year, just as long as Accrington don't win tomorrow."
BURNLEY bowling sensation Jonathan Clare could have the ball back in his hands for tomorrow's trip to Church.
The Lancashire seamer has been unable to bowl so far this season as he recuperates from a back injury.
But club officials are hoping Lancashire will finally allow the Academy starlet, who scored 113 with the bat last weekend, to resume his run up.
CHURCH make one change for the second clash of the weekend. Middle order batsman Adam Greenwood comes in for Mark Gilrane for tomorrow's Blackburn Road clash.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article