EAST Lancashire have the perfect opportunity to put last year's Inter League Club Challenge Trophy disappointment firmly behind them on Monday.

They take on Rochdale in a repeat of the 2002 final, giving them the ideal opportunity for revenge for the four-wicket defeat.

And, as East Lancs chairman Larry Pearson pointed out: "The key difference is, this time we're at home."

However, even with home advantage, Rochdale will again prove a tough nut to crack as they have just gone from strength to strength since last year's cup triumph.

They are currently unbeaten at the top of the Central Lancashire League and in the first round of the Inter League knocked out Church - the only side that has defeated East Lancs this season.

Tushar Arothe continued his awesome form in this tie with 57, but Rochdale had to rely on a run-rate win by three wickets to see off their Lancashire League opponents.

The Indian, who was the sub professional for both Todmorden and Colne last season, has a wealth of Lancashire League knowledge, as will his team mates after their run to the trophy win last season.

East Lancs themselves have made an impressive start to the season, as the Church defeat in their last game brought an end to their own unbeaten start.

Although they lost their lead at the top of the league to Colne, they have had some star performances to illuminate this bright start to the campaign.

Three of their batsmen, Johann Louw, Paul Turner and Philip Bolton are high in the league averages, all having scored more than 100 runs.

South African pro Louw is also in the top 10 of the bowlers' list, with 12 wickets so far.

Monday's game will be the first time East Lancs have played in the competition as they had a bye through to the second round.

The other five Lancashire League sides in the last 16 earned their places with wins over Central League opposition, so will be quietly confident going into the remainder of Monday's matches.

Enfield will be hoping their South African pro Martin Van Jaarsveld can continue the scintillating form he showed in the first round when they beat Stand by 74 runs.

Van Jaarsveld hit an unbeaten 124 in their victory and his side takes on Walsden, conquerors of Rishton.

Another professional hoping to build on a fine performance in the last round will be Ramsbottom's Jason Arnberger.

The Aussie will lead the line for the Worsley Cup holders when they visit Littleborough on Monday, looking for a similar display to the one they put in against Unsworth.

Arnberger hit 79 not out in that game as Ramsbottom reached 142-1 to tie up a second round place on run rate.

Haslingden will also be looking to pile on the runs at Bentgate after they posted the highest score of the first round ties.

Their 278-7 blew Norden out of sight, as Graham Knowles struck a century and Paul Blackledge hit 73 in their victory.

Werneth, however, will provide stiff opposition, as they also scored well more than 200 as they saw off Nelson. Century maker Alan Durose will be their danger man.

Burnley reduced Milnrow to 100 all out in round one, and Royton are the next visitors to Turf Moor on Monday.

Bacup complete the Lancashire League line-up, and they travel to Oldham for their second round tie.

BEFORE Monday's cup tie East Lancs will be hoping to resurrect their Lancashire League challenge after all clubs were denied by the weather last weekend.

On Sunday they are at home to Todmorden and will be looking to recover from their last league game when defeat by Church knocked them off the top.

Colne, who took over from East Lancs at the summit, are at home to Nelson.

The other fixtures are: Burnley v Lowerhouse, Enfield v Accrington, Ramsbottom v Bacup, Rawtenstall v Haslingden.

Today, the first round of the Worsley Cup, which was washed out last Sunday, will take place.

Fixtures are: East Lancs v Ramsbottom, Lowerhouse v Bacup, Church v Rishton, Rawtenstall v Nelson, Todmorden v Colne.