NELSON'S rise last season coincided with a number of youngsters coming into the first team - but now the men from Seedhill need to make good.

After a poor finish two seasons ago, they managed fourth spot last term and professional Joe Scuderi sees no reason why they should not do better again this summer.

"We have to feel that our chances are pretty good and we have had a lot of players training at the club," said Scuderi.

"Last time out we were fourth, but we have to feel that we can improve.

"Certainly we have the potential with the youngsters at the club, but the good thing is that they know there is competition to get a first team place and if they are going to play they are going to have to warrant their place."

Former Lancashire county player and Italian international Scuderi feels that the divide in the Lancashire League, won for the past three years by Bacup, has nothing to do with individuals but a team attitude.

"Bacup just don't rely on one or two players," he explained.

"If they hit problems they still have players batting at seven or eight who can supply 30 odd runs and win a game.

"What the other clubs have got to do to match them is to have everyone contributing with the bat and in the field and that is the type of consistency that we will be trying to find."