MARK HIGGS and Michael Clarke will both be reaching for their mobile phones when they land in Hong Kong on their way home to Australia.

Both have left England today to link up with the Australia A squad for their Test against South Africa.

And the professionals have left the Worsley Cup final between their clubs Church and Ramsbottom delicately balanced - and set to be concluded at Acre Bottom tonight with the paid men anxious to find out the result.

After rain caused chaos on Sunday, Clarke had had his chance with the bat for Ramsbottom making 40.

It was decided rather than wait until next Saturday to finish the game - as the rules said because an innings had not been completed - to come back last night to give Church's paid man Higgs a chance to have his say with the bat.

Ramsbottom concluded their innings last night taking the score from 149-7 to 177 all out with their remaining five overs.

Opener Higgs then got his last chance for Church at the crease with the Blackburn Road side's skipper Phil Sykes.

And they knocked off some quick runs, scoring 32 in four overs with Higgs making a quick-fire 19 including one six and a four.

However he tried one shot too many and Nick Riley celebrated taking the prized wicket with his captain, Mark Price who dived low to get rid of the pro for 20.

"I was disappointed to say the least," said 26-year-old Higgs.

"I tried to play pretty sensibly and had put a couple of loose balls away but it wasn't to be.

"I guess Michael and I will find out when we land at Hong Kong which side has won.

"We will both be checking out mobile phones and the guys will keep me informed. Someone will.

"It would be great for the club if we won it. Church haven't won a trophy in 28 years so it would be great.

"It has been a good season even though the weather has been hard but it has been good fun. They are a great bunch of guys here and I hope they can go on and win it."

The relief of getting the dangerman out could be seen in the Ramsbottom shouts and celebrations as they knew big hitter Higgs could have stole the show.

And the pace did slow down after that when Tom O'Neill linked up with skipper Sykes.

O'Neill was desperate to get his innings in as he will be absent tonight and the 21-year-old wanted to make his presence felt.

However he became Clarke's final victim of the summer season.

The 21-year-old Aussie was rushing through his allotted ten overs and was rewarded with a wicket, O'Neill caught by youngster David Bell for eight.

But it could still go either way tonight with Sykes on 23 not out, supported by former captain Mark Aspin (seven not out) as Church chalked up 73-2 - although it is really 73-3 as Craig Fergusson is also missing.

With 26 overs left, they need 105 to win their first trophy since 1974 while cup holders Ramsbottom will be confident they can skittle Church out and reclaim the cup. Play resumes at 6.30pm tonight.

RAMSBOTTOM 177 all out

CHURCH 73-2

(after 24 overs)

RAMSBOTTOM

Clarke c Aspin b Higgs...40

N Riley b Seedle...6

M Price c Tucker b Westwell...16

D Bell run out...0

S Read c Holt b Higgs...10

J Harrison run out...53

L Daggett b Westwell...17

A Bell st Tucker b Westwell...0

B Horrocks b Westwell...9

R Hevingham not out...1

C Eardley run out...2

Extras...23

Total (all out)...177

Bowling: T O'Neill 10-0-37-0; J Seedle 9-1-44-1; N Westwell 10-2-21-4; Higgs 10-3-20-2; C Fergusson 6-0-16-0; P Gilrane 5-0-26-0.

CHURCH

Higgs c Price b Riley...20

P Sykes not out...23

T O'Neill c D Bell b Clarke...8

M Aspin not out...7

Extras...25

Total (2wickets)...73

Bowling: Clarke 10-3-19-1; S Read 8-1-25-0; N Riley 5-0-24-1; M Price 1-0-1-0