NELSON professional Joe Scuderi is eyeing fourth spot as the Transco Lancashire League enters its final phase.

With six games to go, the Seedhill side are presently in seventh spot, trailing fourth-placed Rawtenstall by 12 points - but a win at home to rivals Burnley tomorrow should boost their cause.

And Nelson have the advantage that, while most clubs are fighting for sub-professionals after the departure of the South African and some of the Australian paid-men, they still have Scuderi at the crease.

Ramsbottom's Michael Clarke and Mark Higgs have left to link up with the Australia A squad while the likes of Lowerhouse's Jacques Rudolph, Enfield's Martin van Jaarsveld and Burnley's Pierre Joubert play their final game next Saturday as they return for the South African League season on the Sunday.

So Nelson, who finished second from bottom last time out, have a chance to make an impact in the top few - although runaway leaders Bacup look certain to have the title tied up soon.

"The top two Bacup and Enfield have got away and Haslingden in third have a bit of a gap on us but it is close from fourth down to ninth," said former Lancashire player Scuderi.

"Weather permitting, we still have 72 points to go for and our aim is to win as many as possible and see where it takes us.

"We have improved as a club but it has been a disappointing season with the weather and the fact we seem to win a couple, then lose a couple and haven't got any consistency.

"We have won two together now but that was spoilt with last week's wash out.

"I know all teams have suffered with the weather but this season has been the worst I can remember."

Defending champions Bacup - who are on the verge of their third successive title - have only been beaten once this season in the league.

"And that was by us!" said Scuderi. "And we should have beaten them in the other match!

"Bacup are a consistent team, if they get in trouble, they have other batsmen who can chip in and get them out of it and that is a sign of a good side."

Scuderi holds the Nelson batting record with 1,414 runs in 1991. He tops the current batting averages with 753 but it has been Rudolph, Higgs and Clarke who have been hitting the headlines with the bat.

"To be honest, I never got to see Clarke," the Italian-Australian admitted. "The first game was a wash-out and now he has gone home and we got Higgs out for a duck in the first game of the season and he has left as well.

"But they have done well along with Jaques Rudolph. It has been good cricket - that's when it has been played!"

The Lowerhouse star needs 208 runs from his final two games to break the club record of 1,260 set by Van Jaarsveld.

"If it hadn't been for the weather he would have broken it which is a shame really. It has just been a tough season like that," said Scuderi.

Meanwhile he is looking to get the runs that move them above sixth-placed Burnley tomorrow.

"You always want to win your local derbies," he said. "Every team wants to get one over on the other side and tomorrow will be no different."

And Scuderi, who left Old Trafford last season, has been keeping his eye on Lancashire new boy James Anderson.

The former Burnley bowler has been making a huge impact at Old Trafford and has been called up for the England Academy squad.

"I have been watching his progress and he has done brilliantly. He was always a good young player and he has improved a lot in the last couple of years.

"To be picked for the Academy is briliant for him and he has made good progress. If he carries this on he could be an England player. It also gives hope to the other lads in the Lancashire League.

"When they see young lads playing for Lancashire it shows the door is still open for them and gives them a boost.

"If they have got the ability, they could still be picked up by the county."

Accrington v Church, Bacup v Rawtenstall, Lowerhouse v Colne, Nelson v Burnley, Ramsbottom v Haslingden, Rishton v East Lancs, Todmorden v Enfield.

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