NELSON'S prolific professional Joe Scuderi faces a fortnight on the sidelines after badly dislocating a finger at Rawtenstall on Saturday.

The former Lancashire all-rounder was injured when attempting to take a return catch from Rawtenstall paid-man Andrew Hall in Nelson's ultimately exciting six-run defeat.

But the situation could have been worse, with Scuderi fearing a break which could have ruled him out of action for a major part of the summer.

"It's probably the best case scenario because I thought it was definitely broken," said Scuderi, who was the Transco Lancashire League's third-best batsman before this weekend, with an average of almost 90 runs per game.

"I'm not exactly sure how long I'll be out but they've said it could be just a couple of weeks.

"I don't want to miss any games but we're out of the Worsley Cup next weekend so with a bit of luck I might miss just one."

Scuderi, who has been in his usual commanding form since returning to Nelson this summer, had the third finger on his left hand put back into place at Burnley General Hospital and was due at the fracture clinic today to confirm the extent of the injury.

And assuming it's as first diagnosed, it will be relief all-round at Seedhill.

Skipper Mick Bradley said: "It looked a bit of a mess and it could have been a lot worse.

"The last thing we would have wanted was to lose the pro. We haven't played much cricket this summer but Joe has done really well. He's scored a lot of runs and must be averaging 70 to 80."

Scuderi risked further damage when he came in to bat last in the penultimate over with Nelson sensing an unlikely win.

The visitors' target was 17 off the final over from Andrew Payne and with Scuderi showing his class to steer the first two deliveries for a two and a four an upset was on the cards.

However, there were to be no further heroics as Scuderi and Stuart Lemon could manage just four more singles to leave their side just short but with a further bonus point in the bag.

Rawtenstall paid-man Hall returned his best figures of the summer as he followed up an unbeaten half-century with 5-37, including the vital wicket of Danny Kegg.

Kegg had taken 6-56 as Rawtenstall were bowled out for 146 following a delayed start which reduced the game to 44 overs a side.

And the all-rounder had briefly threatened to set up a successful run-chase as he moved to 42 off 75 balls with two sixes and four fours before being yorked by Hall to give the South African his fourth wicket.

That left Nelson on 82-5 in the 33rd over and Colin Pemberton, who had also been in the wars with a cut above the eye which forced him off the field for a spell, was run out with just 10 more added to the total.

With Mick Bradley and Karim Nazir quickly following Rawtenstall were closing in on maximum points but Lemon and Martin Heap had other ideas, rattling up a rapid 22 for the ninth wicket to prompt Scuderi's arrival to the wicket.

Hall had earlier held together the Rawtenstall innings with his well measured 55 coming off 77 balls with seven fours.

The home side had slumped from 60-1 to 65-5 but with the South African around to shepherd the lower order, they got just enough on the board to secure the win which lifted them up to third in the table.

HEAVY rain on Friday meant no play was possible in the games between Ramsbottom and Todmorden, East Lancs and Haslingden and second-placed Enfield versus Lowerhouse, with all sides taking three points.